Former Mets Relief Pitcher: Manny Acosta (2010-2012)

Manuel Alcides (Molina) Acosta was born on May 1st in Colon, Panama. The six foot four right hander was originally signed by the AL New York club in 1998.

He spent four years with the AL New York clubs minor league team, pitching as both a starter as well as a reliever. He was struggling to a 2-8 record & a 6.60 ERA in his last season in that organization in 2003. That summer he was released & got picked up by the Atlanta Braves.

He debuted in August of 2007 & earned his first career decision against the New York Mets. He took a September 12th loss when Sean Green singled home Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 8th inning. In 2008 he went 3-5 with three saves & was credited with four holds posting a 3.37 ERA in 46 appearances. He returned in 2009 making 36 appearances going 1-1 with two holds. After the season he signed on with the New York Mets as a free agent.

Acosta made his Mets debut on April 21st 2010 against the Chicago Cubs, allowing three runs in 1.1 innings of work. On the 24th he earned his first win beating his old Braves team mates & he would beat them again on August 3rd. On the year he made 41 appearances going 3-2 with one save, three blow saves & posting a 2.95 ERA.

In 2011 he began the year at AAA Buffalo going 1-0, & got back to the Mets squad by June 5th debuting against the Atlanta Braves quickly allowing two runs in less than an inning. He got credit for two holds going into mid August, and then earned his first win on August 15th. In that game the Mets won it in the bottom of the 11th inning on a run scoring fielder’s choice by Scott Hairston.

Before the season was over he would be used in the closers role at times after the departure of Francisco Rodriquez. He would earn four saves, while blowing other opportunities going 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA & finish up with seven holds.

Acosta got on board with the 2012 Mets  pitching out of the bullpen. On April 27th, he was shelled in Colorado, allowing seven runs on five hits in a horrific eleven run Rockies 5th inning. He then took the loss three days later in Houston, after allowing an 8th inning RBI single to Jed Lowrey. This was one inning after the Mets had tied the game at three.

On May 2nd Acosta, allowed five straight hits & three more runs, in the Astros series sweep in the two teams last meeting with the Astros as an NL team in Houston.

On May 8th he was credited with a victory, pitching 0.2 innings at Philadelphia in a 7-4 Mets win. But things didn't get any better; on May 13th he blew a save in Miami, serving up a walk off HR to Giancarlo Stanton.

Then there were three more horrid relief experience in Toronto (five runs allowed over two innings) & at home against the Padres & Phillies were he allowed three runs each time. On May 28th Philadelphia nailed him for three runs on four hits in just a third of an inning.

Acosta's ERA was over ten (10.25), he was sent down to AAA Buffalo & returned at the end of July.  He saw a lot of action in September, as the Mets season was going no where. Acosta finished the year at 1-3 with one save, four holds & a 6.46 ERA in 45 appearances. He was granted free agency & signed on to pitch in Japan for 2013.

In Japan he pitched just 14 games for the Yomiuri Giants, going 1-0 with a 5.54 ERA before an arm injury ended his season.

In his six year MLB career he is 6-6 with nine saves, 219 strike outs & 117 walks in 248 innings over 233 games.