Pitching Powers Mets To 3-2 Win Over Reds

Hey, now that’s what’s called a winning streak. After the New York Mets began the season 0-5, including blowing a 3-0 lead in game one of a doubleheader on Thursday with the Detroit Tigers, the team bounced back with late ninth inning heroics in game two. On Friday night, the Mets got their second win of the year in Cincinnati over the Reds by a score of 3-2 behind a strong outing from starter José Quintana, contributions from the bullpen and another impressive showing from Brett Baty. 

Quintana Rebounds

With Kodai Senga out for the first couple of months of the season, the Mets really need Quintana to be their ace. Opening Day was rough for him as he only pitched 4 2/3 innings and couldn’t consistently locate. Friday night against a good Reds lineup was a different story, however, as Quintana gave the Mets 5 2/3 innings while allowing five hits, four walks, one run and recording four strikeouts. The walks will have to go down for Quintana, but he settled in after allowing a first inning home run to Spencer Steer — making it a good outing for Quintana, who displayed more of his second-half of 2023 self on Friday. 

Lindor & McNeil Get On The Board

Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor are two players on the Mets’ offense who need to get going. Both went into the game looking for their first RBIs of the season, and on Friday, they both got one. In the top of the fifth inning, with the Mets still down 1-0, Lindor hit a sacrifice fly that scored Tyrone Taylor. Lindor, who was batting leadoff due to Brandon Nimmo missing the game with a tight hamstring, also reached base twice on a hit-by-pitch and a walk. In the top of the eighth, McNeil lined a home run over the right field wall, which turned out to be a pivotal moment during the game as it represented the difference in a one-run contest. 

Bullpen Holds Strong

After Quintana departed, a combination of Drew Smith, Brooks Raley, Adam Ottavino and Edwin Díaz preserved the win. The four combined for five strikeouts before Díaz notched his first save since 2022. It wasn’t easy, however, as Díaz booted a grounder from Jonathan India and followed that up by walking Steer to open his outing. Díaz then got what should’ve been a double-play ball, but pinch runner Bubba Thompson beat Lindor to second base and the Mets only got the out at first base. A sacrifice fly from Jeimer Candelario scored India to cut the Mets lead to 3-2, but Díaz would strike out Jake Fraley on a good slider to end the threat. It wasn’t a pretty outing for Díaz necessarily as he also threw a wild pitch, but he got the job done. 

Player Of The Game

McNeil has had a rough start to the year, and this is coming off a tough 2023 campaign as well. His home run ended up being the difference in the win over the Reds, and for the Mets and McNeil, they hope that will get his confidence back up. 

On Deck

Game two of this series will be tomorrow at 4:10 p.m. EDT when Luis Severino will take the mound for the Mets looking to rebound after a rough debut with the club. Nick Martinez of the Reds will contest him. The game will be televised locally on SNY.