Mets Down Reds 8-4, Take Series Finale

On a day where the New York Mets honored the retirement of former pitcher Bartolo Colón at Citi Field, the team also looked to prevent a sweep in their series against the Cincinnati Reds. To get it done, New York sent José Quintana to the mound on Sunday. With the aid of the offense showing up in a big way, the Mets delivered an 8-4 victory.

Quintana started today looking to keep building on his last three strong starts, and found himself in trouble right away, allowing two singles and then an RBI single by Noelvi Marte. He then settled in after that, before running into trouble again in the fifth, allowing a solo home run to Nick Senzel. However, that is all the damage that was done.

Quintana ended his day with a final line that read: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO (94 pitches). Quintana continued his outstanding season, and if he was healthy to begin the season, the Mets record may look much different. His ERA is sits at a sterling 3.02.

Jeff Brigham came out for the eighth, and allowed a two-run home run to Christian Encarnacion-Strand, to cut the lead to 8-4. Brigham has struggled all year with the home run and this outing was much of the same. Brooks Raley would come out for the ninth and struck out one to close the door and continue his stellar season.

The offense started off slow, not breaking through until the third, when Tim Locastro led off with a single, and advanced to third base on a Brandon Nimmo base hit. Locastro scored the Mets’ first run on a wild pitch. Francisco Álvarez followed that up with a two-RBI double. Álvarez has had a great September so far, and whether that is due to getting more rest or a change in his approach, it is very nice to see.

Mark Vientos has also had a much better September, hitting an RBI single in the fifth scoring Francisco Lindor, giving him three hits in the first five innings. If that wasn’t enough, he stole his first base of the season right after the hit.

After the game, Vientos said, “It feels good. It feels good to be out there every day. I like playing and I like playing in games. Playing baseball every day is fun for me.” Maybe consistent playing time is all the rookie needed to break out.

The last of the offense came via Daniel Vogelbach and Ronny Mauricio. Vogelbach crushed a bases-clearing three-RBI double in the seventh. Then, Mauricio added a run-scoring base hit.

With the victory, the Mets improved to 68-80 on the season. As of writing, this is good for the eighth-worse record in the major leagues.

Statistic of the Game

Brooks Raley has not allowed a run in September, spanning six innings. He has only allowed one hit and struck out nine without walking anyone. Raley has been one of the few consistent arms in the Mets’ bullpen and even in a lost season, it is good to see some quality coming from the hodge-podge of relievers the Mets have trotted out.

Player of the Game: Mark Vientos

Mark Vientos had his best game of the season, if not his career on Sunday. He consistently barreled up the ball, notching a career-high three hits, scoring a run, tallying a run batted in, and stealing his first career base in the majors.

Vientos has turned it on since September 12, notching a hit in every game but one. While he still has some swing and miss, especially in the strike zone, today was a sign in the positive direction especially against a left-handed pitcher.

Vientos’ exit velocities today? 105.2 mph, 104.1 mph, and 100.4 mph.

On Deck

The Mets are right back in action on Monday, as they travel down to Miami to face the Marlins. Miami, who is in the thick of the Wild Card race, is projected to send Edward Cabrera to the mound. Meanwhile, the Mets Game 1 starter is expected to be José Butto. The series will be a three-game set.