The New York Mets (74-66) defeated the Cincinnati Reds (57-81) by a score of 6-3 Wednesday afternoon at Great American Ballpark. This puts the Amazins only half a game behind the Cardinals for the second wild card spot for now.
Offense:
Jose Reyes started the game off with a bang, cracking a home run on the first pitch of the game to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Noah Syndergaard led off the 3rd inning with a base hit to center field before Jose Reyes grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Thor getting out at second. After Asdrubal Cabrera struck out, with two outs and Yoenis Cespedes at the dish, Reyes stole second. Cespedes then reached on an error by the shortstop Jose Peraza, giving Reyes third base. With Curtis Granderson batting, Reyes scored on a wild pitch to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.
Curtis Granderson led off the top of the 6th inning with a home run to center field estimated at 428 ft, his 25th of the year. Then, with two outs in the inning, back to back base hits by James Loney and Rene Rivera put runners on first and second for pinch hitter Michael Conforto, who flew out to center field to end the inning.
The 8th inning was quite eventful for the Amazin’s. Facing lefty reliever Wandy Peralta, Curtis Granderson led off with a base hit to center. Wilmer Flores, pinch hit for Kelly Johnson, then socked a long home run to center field, giving the Mets a 5-0 lead at the time. Alejandro de Aza then singled to center field, then James Loney got hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with nobody out.
Flamethrower Jumbo Diaz came in to face Rene Rivera, who flew out to center field for the first out. He then struck out Brandon Nimmo, pinch hitting for Jerry Blevins, and Jose Reyes to end the inning.
Facing lefty Tony Cingrani in the 9th, back to back doubles by Asdrubal Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes provided an insurance run for the Mets, giving them a 6-3 lead.
Pitching:
Thor did his Loki impression today, as the trickster Noah Syndergaard got through 5 innings without conceding a run, despite allowing 6 hits and walking 4. He struck out 7 and threw 95 pitches on the day. His velocity was fine, however he just didn’t have much command today. It was truly amazing how he allowed two base runners per inning on average and didn’t allow a run.
Hansel Robles took care of the 6th inning, allowing just one hit while striking out one en route to a scoreless frame. He then stayed in for the 7th, allowing a hit and striking out another batter before being removed with two outs. Jerry Blevins came in to face Joey Votto, who he struck out swinging.
Gabriel Ynoa came in for the 8th and had a rough go of it. A walk and two singles loaded the bases with nobody out before he was replaced by Addison Reed.
Reed struck out Tyler Holt for the first out, but then allowed an RBI single to Tucker Barnhart, scoring one. A fielder’s choice out at home for the second out of the inning prevented a run from scoring, but unfortunately Jose Peraza doubled to score two more runs, putting the score at 5-3. All three runs were charged to Ynoa. Eugenio Suarez then struck out to end the inning.
Jeurys Familia nailed down his 47th save of the year with ease, allowing only a base hit to Joey Votto in the 9th.
Notes:
Opposing base stealers had a 45-51 success rate against Noah Syndergaard before today, however today the Reds’ runners were 0-3 today against him and Rene Rivera.
Curtis Granderson now has 5 home runs in his last 8 games.
The Reds’ shortstop Jose Peraza had 4 hits today, so good for him.
On Deck:
The Mets are off tomorrow as they are traveling to Turner Field for their last series ever at that stadium. The Mets will send Robert Gsellman (2-1, 2.87) to the hill to face off against the Braves’ John Gant (1-3, 4.70) at 7:35 pm Friday.
