The game was close the entire way, but the New York Mets made their final trip to the plate count as they scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th inning. They held on in the top of the 9th as they avoided being swept by the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday with a 3-2 win.
Final
R
H
E
Cincinnati Reds (52-48)
2
7
0
New York Mets (56-44)
3
7
1
W: Diaz (5-0) L: Suter (1-1) SV: Stanek (2)
Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread
Cincinnati got some help from the Mets to start the game as a throwing error allowed TJ Friedl to reach base to lead off the game. Matt McLain followed up with a single to put runners on the corners and then Elly De La Cruz singled into center to put the Reds up 1-0. That was all they’d get as a double play and lineout followed to end the rally.
The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the 3rd inning. Tyrone Taylor led off the inning with what was essentially a swinging bunt on a chopper down the third base line that didn’t even make it to the infield dirt. A sacrifice bunt moved him over to second base, and then he came in to score the tying run on a single by Brandon Nimmo.
Two innings later the Mets would take the lead against Andrew Abbott. Brett Baty singled to lead off the inning and would later steal second base. That made it an easy run to score when Luisangel Acuna doubled to the wall in left to put the home team up 2-1.
The Reds got a 1-out single from Noelvi Marte in the 7th, but he was caught stealing to end the inning. In the 8th inning the Reds would get a 2-out walk from Matt McLain. That led to the Mets calling in Edwin Diaz to face Elly De La Cruz. McLain would take second base on the third pitch of the at-bat to put the tying run in scoring position. Two pitches later De La Cruz walked and left things up to Austin Hays with two men on. He would then pick up an infield single to load the bases. The first pitch to Spencer Steer hit him to bring in the tying run. Diaz would rebound by striking out Tyler Stephenson to strand the bases loaded.
Brent Suter, who threw a shutout inning in the 7th returned for the bottom of the 8th to face Juan Soto. The reliever lost the lefty-on-lefty battle as he walked Soto on five pitches that included a few questionable calls to put the go-ahead run on base. He came back and struck out Pete Alonso, bringing another lefty to the plate. Jeff McNeil, like Soto before him, won the battle. He would double into right field and Soto moved up to third base.
Tony Santillan then entered the game out of the bullpen in a tough spot, facing Luis Torrens with one out and two men in scoring position. The Reds brought the infield in but it didn’t work out in their favor as Torrens hit a hard grounder to Matt McLain who made a good play on the ball and fired home but it just wasn’t enough as Juan Soto slid in head first before the tag could be applied to put the Mets back on top.
Cincinnati would see Ryne Stanek in the top of the 9th, needing at least a run to keep the game going. Noelvi Marte made good contact, but 397 feet to dead center field isn’t enough and Tyrone Taylor was able to get under it to record the first out of the inning. Jake Fraley battled and came through with an opposite field single on the 7th pitch of his at-bat. Gavin Lux grounded into a force out, but was able to beat the throw to first and keep the Reds hopes alive. Another 7-pitch at-bat ensued, but this time Stanek won as he got TJ Friedl to fly out to shallow right field to end the game as New York avoided being swept with a 3-2 win to wrap up the series.
Key Moment of the Game
Juan Soto scoring from third base in the bottom of the 8th inning to give the Mets the lead.
Notes Worth Noting
TJ Friedl was hit by another pitch today, making it four in the last two games. He’s probably happy to be heading to Washington, DC for tomorrow’s game.
The Reds had 10 ground outs and just three fly outs on the day as the Mets pitchers had them hitting the ball on the ground quite frequently.
Carson Spiers was on rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. He started their game last night and struggled, walking four batters for the second straight outing but he also gave up three hits this time. Spiers was recalled from his rehab for right biceps soreness as reported by Mark Sheldon of Reds.com.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals
Monday July 21st, 6:45pm ET
Brady Singer (7-7, 4.32 ERA) vs Jake Irvin (7-5, 4.58 ERA)
