The New York Mets’ broadcast booth at SNY is known for not holding back when it comes to criticizing their own players, and Luis Severino gave them plenty to talk about during Wednesday’s game against the Washington Nationals. Despite pitching 6 1/3 solid innings with only two earned runs, Severino made a critical mistake that allowed an unnecessary run to score.
In the fourth inning with two men on base and two outs, Severino gave up a single to Juan Yepez in right field. The Mets’ right fielder’s throw to home plate was late and off-target, allowing one run to score. However, the real issue arose when Severino failed to back up the play, resulting in a second run crossing the plate.
Ron Darling, one of the announcers, was quick to criticize Severino for his lack of hustle, stating that it is “inexcusable” for a pitcher not to back up in such situations. Despite the Mets ultimately winning the game 6-2, Severino’s defensive lapse was a point of discussion throughout the broadcast.
Darling emphasized the importance of always backing up plays and described Severino’s failure to do so as “unconscionable.” The Mets booth continued to highlight the importance of basic fundamentals in the game, contrasting Severino’s error with Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin’s successful backup that prevented a run from scoring.
While Severino’s mistake did not ultimately affect the outcome of the game, it served as a reminder of the professional standards expected in Major League Baseball. The Mets booth’s candid commentary on the issue highlighted the significance of attention to detail and hustle in every aspect of the game.