Reds 3,Mets 1 (Citi Field, Flushing, NY)
Mets Record: 78-65
Mets Streak: L1
Mets Last 10: 9-1
WP: Buck Farmer (3-0) LP: Phil Maton (2-3)
S: Alexis Diaz (26)
Seat On The Korner: Santiago Espinal
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Today's "Seat on the Korner" goes to Reds DH Santiago Espinal. Despite being picked off first base in the 5th inning, which stifled a potential rally, Espinal delivered a solid performance, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Most notably, he had the crucial two-RBI double in the top of the 9th inning off Phil Maton, securing the victory for the Reds.
Need To Know
Prior to the game, the Mets placed infielder Jeff McNeil on the 10-Day Injured List, retroactive to September 7, with a fractured right wrist and recalled outfielder D.J. Stewart from Triple-A Syracuse.
Prior to the game, the Reds placed LHP Sam Moll on the 15-day injured list and recalled from AAA-Louisville RHP Casey Legumina (#65).
The Mets wrapped up the penultimate homestand of the season with a 5-1 record over six games against the Red Sox (3-0) and the Reds (2-1). They now embark on a seven-day, six-game road trip to Toronto (three games) and Philadelphia (three games).
Will Benson made his 32nd start in CF he has made 34 starts in RF, and 31 in LF, he is the first Red since 1900 to make at least 30 starts at each outfield position in a campaign courtesy Elias...is also the only Major Leaguer to accomplish this feat in 2024.
The Reds and Mets faced off in their second and final series of the 2024 season. The Mets won 2 of 3 games at Great American Ball Park from April 5 to April 7. The Reds' victory today prevented the Mets from sweeping this series, a feat the Mets last achieved against the Reds from August 8 to August 10, 2022, at Citi Field.
Since September 24, 2013, the Reds have a 21-44 record against the Mets, including a 14-game losing streak from September 7, 2014, to September 7, 2016. This losing streak is the longest the Reds have ever had against the Mets and the longest against any team since their 16-game losing streak against the Diamondbacks from May 8, 2001, to August 13, 2003.
With today's loss, the Mets' home win streak ends at six games and their overall winning streak is snapped at nine. They have won nine of their last 12 games at Citi Field and are 40-34 at home this year, including a 40-33 record at Citi Field (with one home game played in London).
One day after Francisco Lindor's impressive hitting streak came to an end, his on-base streak also concluded at 35 games. This streak was the longest active on-base streak in the majors and the longest of Lindor's career. It now stands as the third-longest streak in Mets history, trailing only Brandon Nimmo's 36-game streak and John Olerud's remarkable 47-game streak. Lindor's consistency and resilience throughout the season have been a testament to his MVP type season.
The loss, combined with the Braves' 4-3 win over the Blue Jays in 11 innings, leaves the Mets and Braves tied for the final wildcard spot with 19 games remaining.
Turning Point
The pivotal moment of the game unfolded in the top of the 9th inning, abruptly ending the Mets' remarkable 80-inning streak of not trailing. With the game tied at 1-1, Spencer Steer was hit by a pitch and moved to first base, followed by Ty France's single to third, advancing Steer to second. Jake Fraley then grounded out, setting up runners on second and third. Santiago Espinal delivered a sharp line drive double to left field, driving in both Steer and France and giving the Reds a 3-1 lead.
Three Keys
Luis Luis Luis
In the top of the 4th inning, Luis Torrens showcased his elite arm behind the plate by gunning down Elly De La Cruz, one of the fastest players in the league with 62 steals this season and an impressive 82% success rate on the basepaths. Torrens, who has thrown out 13 of 20 attempted steals—an outstanding 65% caught stealing rate—proved once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with. De La Cruz, known for his speed, challenged Torrens, but the catcher’s pinpoint accuracy and quick release made it another would-be steal that never had a chance.
Mets Muzzle the Reds: 18.2 Scoreless Innings of Dominance
The Mets' pitching staff asserted their dominance over the Reds throughout the series, holding Cincinnati’s offense in check for nearly every inning. In Game 1, the Reds only managed to score in two of the ten innings, and in Game 2, Jose Quintana, Adam Ottavino, and Daniel Young combined to shut them out for nine innings. By Game 3, Luis Severino continued the trend,Including a walking the tight rope fifth inning, The top of the 5th inning proved to be the turning point of the game escaping a tense situation to keep the scoreless streak going. It began with Jake Fraley’s weak infield pop-up that went for a double as it dribbled. into left field, putting him in scoring position. Santiago Espinal followed with a soft single to right, advancing Fraley to third, and suddenly the Mets found themselves in a jam with runners on the corners and no outs. However, Severino displayed his composure under pressure, catching Espinal off guard with a pickoff move to first, which was initially ruled safe but overturned upon review, recording the first out. With the pressure still high, Severino struck out Noelvi Marte swinging for the second out and then capped the inning by fanning Will Benson, escaping the threat without allowing a run. This sequence shifted the game’s momentum, silencing a dangerous Reds rally, allowing the Mets to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Mets' staff put together 18 consecutive scoreless innings, but the streak ended in the seventh inning. After Ty France reached on a bloop single, Jake Fraley grounded into a forceout and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Severino. Despite striking out Santiago Espinal for the second out, Severino surrendered a clutch two-out RBI single to Noelvi Marte, who mirrored the Mets’ Starling Marte with a timely hit two out, driving in Fraley to tie the game at 1-1. Severino’s brilliant outing ended shortly after, but the Reds finally cracked the Mets' pitching wall. Severino ended up going 6.2 innings, allowing just five weakly hit singles, one run, two walks, and striking out eight.
The Joy of Six
The Mets once again found a spark in the 6th inning, marking the third time in the series they scored in this frame, and for the second straight game, it broke a scoreless tie. After a defensive substitution, Pete Alonso drew a walk to get things started. Following a strikeout of Mark Vientos, Jose Iglesias kept the inning alive with a ground ball single off shortstop Elly De La Cruz, moving Alonso into scoring position. After Jesse Winker struck out for the second out, Starling Marte came through with a sharp line drive to center, bringing Alonso home and putting the Mets on the board. The 6th inning had once again proved pivotal, giving the Mets the lead in what had been a tightly contested game.
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