Grilli has turned in three scoreless outings in a row, but don't expect him to gain much traction in higher-leverage situations in the near future with his ERA still sitting at 5.65 for the season. The fact that the 40-year-old was used in the ninth inning of a 10-run game speaks to his low standing in the bullpen pecking order.

Asdrubal Cabrera's RBI double off Grilli gave the Mets a 5-3 lead at the time, which would prove to be the decisive run after the Rangers' Robinson Chirinos made things interesting in the ninth inning with a solo blast. While the loss doesn't fall on Grilli's shoulders, he has yet to establish himself as a reliable option in the late innings for Texas since coming over in an early-July trade with the Blue Jays. In his 10 appearances with the club, he's allowed six runs (five earned) and has walked six batters over 10 frames.

Grilli was roughed up more than any of the other five relievers the Rangers used on the night, but his ugly appearance will likely fly under the radar after starter Yu Darvish was lit up for a career-high 10 runs in what could have been his final outing as a member of the Rangers. Prior to the disastrous showing, Grilli hadn't allowed an earned run in his 10 appearances with Texas, so manager Jeff Banister shouldn't have too many reservations about turning back to the veteran reliever in the future.

Grilli was acquired from the Blue Jays earlier this month to shore up Texas' disastrous bullpen, but this outing suggests he isn't an upgrade in high-leverage situations. Tasked with pitching the bottom of the ninth in a tie game, Grilli promptly loaded the bases with one out. He gave Rangers fans hope by striking out Jorge Bonifacio, only to take it away by serving up the game-winning hit to Lorenzo Cain.