CINCINNATI — Perhaps a game the Mets would like to forget will be one Luis Severino never forgets.
The high-moment, high-upside, high-risk right-hander bounced back from a poor debut with the Mets to make a solid second start of the season after a dismal 2023 with the Yankees.
Severino allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks in five innings, and repeatedly opted for four-seamer when challenging Reds batters, giving up seven hits.
Severino didn’t allow his mistakes to compound in a 9-6 loss at Great American Ball Park, shutting the Reds in nine straight games from second to fifth.
“He was more aggressive, he had more life in his fastball, he was much better,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of Severino, who gave up six runs in five innings in a loss to the Brewers in his debut. “They counted his pitches. They gave us five innings and gave us a chance to win the game.”
Cincinnati only scored against Severino twice, first with Severino’s defense and then with his control letting Severino down.
Jeimer Candelario hit what would have been a deep fly to left field, but Tyrone Taylor slid into the warning track, resulting in a double.
1 out, Candelario was on third base, Ellie Delacruz grounded out to second base, Jeff McNeil charged the ball and tried to throw it to home plate, but the ball jumped in front of him and slipped and slipped up. scored a point.
Severino then couldn’t find the strike zone and ultimately gave up a bases-loaded walk to Jonathan India.
However, before facing Will Benson with the bases loaded, he faced catcher Omar Narváez on the mound.
“Let’s use that pitch,” Severino told Narvaez about the four-seamer.
Benson swung through four fastballs and ended the inning with three strikeouts.
That was the turning point for Severino, who continued to heat up to 98.4 mph.
Although the Reds were unable to catch up, this was an early sign of progress for a pitcher who has a higher ceiling than the Mets’ other starting pitchers.
Maybe he’s found a way to become the Severino that was all the rage in pinstripes a few years ago.
“The last thing I think is [start] It wasn’t a real fastball, it wasn’t really jumping at the end,” Severino said.
A somewhat forgotten Mets pitcher is becoming an option.
Max Kranik was on the verge of being out of contention as the fifth starter with the departure of Kodai Senga, but he missed the remainder of camp with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in late February. Ta.
Kranik, 26, who was acquired from the Pirates this offseason, has been facing batters in live batting practice in Port St. Lucie and is likely to begin a rehab assignment this week.
“He’s progressing well,” Mendoza said.
Kranik started 11 games for Pittsburgh in 2021-22, before requiring Tommy John surgery in June 2022 and missing most of last season.
The Mets sensed something in the right-hander, who started one game (two scoreless innings) in the Grapefruit League before developing a hamstring problem.
With Chiga out as well as Tyler Megill, the Mets, who just signed Julio Teheran as their fifth starting pitcher, will welcome any depth options they can find.
Brandon Nimmo, who was absent on Friday due to hamstring tightness, returned to the lineup as a designated hitter and had two hits in four at-bats (one walk). Coach Mendoza said Nimmo can play in the outfield if needed, but he doesn’t need to.
Sean Reid-Foley, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder impingement just before the season started, was hit by a bullet “a few days ago” and was out for three days, Mendoza said.
“He should grow here right away,” Mendoza said of the right reliever.
Francisco Alvarez, who started one end of Thursday’s doubleheader and caught the last few innings of the other end and played Friday, was not in the starting lineup Saturday.
The Mets don’t want to overwork Alvarez as they have 15 games in 14 days.
Omar Narváez started and developed a powerful attack.
Coach Mendoza said Alvarez will play Sunday afternoon in a better matchup between the right-handed slugger and left-handed hitter Andrew Abbott.
JD Martinez was expected to serve as DH for the second straight day at Low-A St. Lucie.
Mendoza said Martínez “came in well” after going hitless and walking on Friday.
