Mets Struggle in Loss Against Reds
All seemed promising for the Mets on Saturday, though that was before the game actually kicked off.
Once the game started, it felt like manager Carlos Mendoza was still on an All-Star break. His influence on the gameplay was hardly visible, especially during the middle innings, which happened for the second consecutive day.
With David Wright’s No. 5 officially retired, the Mets often resorted to the same old strategies, reminiscent of the issues faced during Clay Holmes’ shaky performances.
The day couldn’t have been worse for Francisco Lindor, who went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts as the Mets suffered their third consecutive defeat. In total, the Mets struggled, going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring positions, highlighting a clear weakness as they approached the All-Star break.
As the game progressed, hints of frustration from the fans became palpable, especially as at least nine players stepped up to the plate in one of the later innings.
Lindor, mired in a slump with no hits in his last 17 at-bats, halted a Mets rally in the seventh. With the tying run at the plate, he grounded out for the first out.
Juan Soto missed an opportunity to tie the game in the seventh, striking out on a full-count checkswing after sending a ball foul down the right field line. Pete Alonso soon followed and ended the inning without adding to the score.
Holmes struggled again, allowing five hits, two walks, and five runs over 5 1/3 innings, marking his seventh consecutive start without completing six innings.
Mark Vientos initially got the Mets on the board with a two-out RBI single for the game’s first run. However, after Jeff McNeill’s walk loaded the bases, Ronnie Mauricio couldn’t capitalize. Brandon Nimmo and Alonso each managed singles, contributing to the somewhat promising rally.
A homer from Brett Batty, his first since July 4th, put the Mets up 2-0, showcasing a solid connection with a fastball from Fordham product Nick Martinez.
However, the Reds turned things around after a pickoff error by Lewis Torrens at first base helped them score. Holmes then allowed a single to Matt McClain, leading to a tie. Jake Fraley pushed the Reds ahead with a double in the same inning, making it 3-2.
The Mets found themselves in a deeper hole after Fraley’s RBI single in the fourth added to the Reds’ lead, pushing it to 3-2.
Soto walked in the fifth, swiped second, then advanced to third on a groundout, but Vientos couldn’t come through to keep the inning alive. Soto’s stolen base marked his 12th of the season, which tied his career best.
Reed Garrett was brought in to alleviate some pressure from Holmes in the sixth, but things fell apart when Mauricio’s throw on a potential double play was off-target. That misstep allowed Hayes to score, further extending the Reds’ lead to 5-2.
In the sixth, McNeill, Batty, and Torrens each walked to load the bases, but Nemo came up short with a couple of pitches just out of reach. Lindor then grounded out, failing to capitalize on the situation.
As the game went on, disappointment echoed through the stadium, particularly when Soto, Alonso, and Vientos couldn’t convert against Tony Santillan in the seventh inning.
