Mariano Rivera's First Blown Save of 2013 Memorable in Many Ways

A Tuesday night that started with ceremony and celebration for the greatest closer in the history of the game ended with even greater jubilation at Citi Field.

Mariano Rivera entered the 2013 Subway Series a perfect 18-for-18 in save opportunities. When his final pitch, a cutter to Lucas Duda, made its way into the outfield for a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning, the early-season streak was over.

As the Subway Series shifts to Yankee Stadium for Wednesday and Thursday evening's contests, the mini two-game sweep by the Mets in Citi Field surely won't be forgotten, especially considering the drama surrounding Rivera's ceremonial first pitch, his lone blown save of the season, the history between the two clubs and Rivera's history in the short life of Citi Field.

Among the most loyal fanbases in the world, Big Apple baseball fanatics are a polarized bunch who constantly criticize the other New York team's fans, top players and personnel. But if one individual has been universally respected in the rivalry—which became "official" in 1997 via the inaugural interleague series that June—it's been Mariano Rivera. 

Classy off the field, dominant on the mound, Rivera stands the test of time for both sides of the rivalry. For a Met fanbase that's usually come up short in New York baseball debates over the years, Rivera's name was rarely dragged through the mud.

That's why honoring Rivera prior to the game, much like the farewell the Mets gave Chipper Jones in 2012, was no surprise. The addition of John Franco, the best closer in Met history, acting as Rivera's catcher for the pitch was a great New York baseball moment.

Respect aside, some fans disagreed with the first-pitch distinction. Nearly three hours later, Mariano's last pitch added to the Subway Series lore.

For the first time in Rivera's entire career, he blew a save without recording at least an out. Considering the 1,239 innings pitched, 957 hits allowed, 304 earned runs allowed and 66 home runs surrendered since 1995, that's mind-boggling.

That means the trio of Murphy-Wright-Duda did what former great lineups of Garciaparra-Ortiz-Ramirez or Rodriguez-Griffey-Martinez couldn't accomplish.

As Rivera walked off the mound at Citi Field, just four years after recording his 500th career save in that very spot, the Met crowd rejoiced. It hearkened back to better days when touching up Rivera, while rare, was an underlying theme of the biggest Mets moments in Subway Series history.

When David Wright crossed home plate with the winning run, Rivera's career ERA against the Mets rose to 3.53. Other than a 3.65 mark against the Los Angeles Angels, no team has hit Rivera harder than the Yankees' crosstown rivals.

From the '99 two-out, two-strike, two-run hit off Matt Franco's bat to the 2006 David Wright walk-off to last night's hero, Lucas Duda, the Mets, despite only claiming two of the previous 16 series victories in this rivalry, have touched up Rivera for some memorable wins.

Aside from Rivera likely pitching—if not starting—the All-Star Game at Citi Field this summer, Tuesday evening could have been his final appearance in the park.

Lucas Duda isn't a household name, but he'll be remembered for a long time in New York for beating the great Mariano Rivera in a way that no one ever has before.

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