The Mets (22-32) lost, 7-2, to the Reds (29-25) on Monday afternoon at Citi Field in the first of a three-game series. The team had nine hits but could not capitalize, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight on base. After another disappointing performance, New York falls to 10 games under .500. The club has now lost four straight and six of its last seven.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Nolan McLean got the start for New York and got three strikeouts to start the first. He began to struggle in the second, hitting the leadoff batter with a pitch, giving up a single, and walking a batter to load the bases. A forceout drove in a run, and a wild pitch drove in another to make it 2-0, Reds.
In the third, JJ Bleday knocked a solo homer off McLean to make it 3-0. In the fourth, he continued to struggle, walking the leadoff batter, giving up a double, and a two-run single to make it 5-0. Then a two-run homer from Tyler Stephenson made it 7-0. McLean was lifted later in the inning, taking the loss and falling to a 2-4 record with a 4.40 ERA. Austin Warren (1 2/3 IP, 0 ER), Jonathan Pintaro (2 2/3 IP, 0 ER), and Tobias Myers (1 1/3 IP, 0 ER) each did their part in relief, combining for 15 strikeouts on the day.
The Mets picked up a run in the sixth on a Marcus Semien solo homer. In the seventh, Brett Baty doubled to lead things off, and Carson Benge drove him in with a groundout to make it 7-2. The Mets kept it going, with Bo Bichette and Mark Vientos each singling to put runners on with two outs, but Marcus Semien grounded out to end the threat. New York was retired in order in the eighth and ninth to close out the loss.
Of note, MJ Melendez replaced Tyrone Taylor in the seventh inning after Taylor exited with right hip pain. Taylor had been struggling at the plate, hitting just .167 on the season, but losing him for any length of time would be a tough blow for a Mets lineup already decimated by injuries.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Bo Bichette earns Monday’s honor, going 3-for-4 with three singles. It was a nice showing from the infielder, who has been slumping this season, and is now hitting .227/.332/.459.
ON DECK
The Mets starter for Tuesday evening has yet to be named.
Chase Burns (6-1, 1.83) will get the start for Cincinnati. In his last time out against the Phillies, he tossed six innings, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.
The first pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET on SNY.
