Jeff McNeil didn't pitch for at least the remainder of the regular season and was hitless in his first 4 2/3 innings.
That doesn't matter to the Mets, who are doing everything right at the right time of the season.
The Mets needed just one more inning to extend their winning streak to nine games, shutting down the Reds with a 4-0 shutout victory at Citi Field on a crisp, fall Saturday, thanks to a stellar performance from pitcher Jose Quintana, who won his 100th career game, and the relief staff.
The crowd of 34,048 waited 66 minutes for the game to start because of a rain delay, then another hour and a half for any signs of offense, but it was the Mets' offense that finally broke through with four runs in the sixth inning.
It was a tough day for the team with McNeil out with a broken wrist, but another bright night for their playoff hopes. Carlos Mendoza's team was waiting for the outcome of a late game against the Braves, but they were one game behind the Diamondbacks and just half a game out of the second wild card spot in the National League.
The Mets (78-64) have found a way to stay alive in games differently every night and are one win away from a perfect homestand and a third straight sweep.
Their starting pitching was impeccable on Saturday, their bullpen was untouched, their defense was excellent, their hitting was good enough and they were a strong, all-around hitter.
Quintana, who is trying to make a playoff berth in a crowded starting rotation, pitched three consecutive stellar innings, holding the Reds to five hits, two walks and no runs in 6 2/3 innings.
After a tough August, the left-hander allowed just one run over 18 innings across three starts, lowering his ERA to 4.09.
He wasn't perfect on Saturday, but he was perfect when he needed to be.
Cincinnati's offense relied heavily on Quintana's infield, going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Jose Iglesias, suddenly a regular at second base, dived to get a sharp grounder from Ty France for a double play in the top of the second inning, and one inning later, Francisco Lindor (whose hitting streak was ended but his on-base record reached 35 games) hit a hard grounder from Jonathan India into the hole and spun around to throw to second, setting up another double play.
Quintana struggled again in the fourth inning, when Tyler Stephenson advanced to third with one out, but the veteran held on.
Quintana got one out on a soft tap-out by Ty France, but then got out on a grounder by TJ Friedl.
The 35-year-old pitched until the seventh inning, before leaving the game to a standing ovation after struggling a bit against Adam Ottavino.
The right-hander got on base with a runner on second, kept the runner there and struck out Will Benson to continue the shutout.
The Mets' pitching staff played well over the nine games, limiting the opposition to just 15 runs (1.65 ERA) in 83 innings, easing the pressure on a formidable offense.
The Mets didn't get on base against Reds starter Jacob Junis until there were two outs in the fourth inning, and they didn't get a hit until there were two outs in the fifth inning.
But the breakthrough came in the sixth inning.
With Junis gone, the Mets wasted no time attacking opposing relief pitchers.
Sam Mohr's second pitch to Harrison Bader was hit into the visiting bullpen in right-center field for the game-winning home run.
The talented center fielder has been in a serious slump recently and has missed time playing, going just 2 for 42 in his past 21 games, most of which came off the bench.
This was probably what motivated Vader.
The Mets' batting lineup is definitely starting to move.
Four of the next six batters reached base, with the key hits being a one-run RBI single by Pete Alonso and a two-run double by J.D. Martinez, playing in just his second game since returning from the paternity list.
That was the end of the scoring for the Mets, but dominant eighth-inning pitching from Danny Young (whose ERA dropped to 2.70) and Edwin Diaz (pitching for the third straight game) ensured that the explosive outing was enough to maintain their season-best winning streak.
