Mets vs. Reds Game 34 Recap

LHP Jason Vargas

The New York Mets lost to the Cincinnati Reds 7-2 tonight and dropped their record to 18-16. LHP Jason Vargas struggled immediately in the bottom of the first inning after he gave up lead-off hits to SS Jose Peraza and LF Scott Schebler and then hit 1B Joey Votto to load the bases. Vargas gave up a two-run single to 3B Eugenio Suerez, but was able to escape further trouble after he got a fly out and a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. He gave up a lead-off triple to catcher Tucker Barnhard in the bottom of the second inning, but then responded by striking out RHP Luis Castillo, CF Billy Hamilton and Peraza. In the bottom of the third inning, Vargas gave up two more runs after he gave up an RBI double to Suerez and an RBI single to Barnhardt. In the bottom of the fourth inning, he had his first  and 1-2-3 inning of the game and was then taken out. His final line was four runs in four innings on six hits with two walks and one strikeout. RHP Seth Lugo came in next and pitched a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning. RHP A.J. Ramos followed with a scoreless bottom of the sixth inning. Ramos came back out in the bottom of the seventh inning and gave up a leadoff double to Schebler before being taken out. LHP Jerry Blevins appeared next and got 1B Joey Votto to fly out, which was the only batter he faced. RHP Hansel Robles was up next and gave up an RBI single to Suerez and a batter later, a two-run homer to 2B Scooter Gennett. Robles then allowed a walk and a single before being pulled after he twisted his ankle on an attempt to field a sacrifice bunt. RHP Paul Sewald had to come in and get the last out of the bottom of the seventh inning and pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning.

The offense was held scoreless for the first 4 2/3 inning until SS Amed Rosario picked up the first hit of the game on a single with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. 3B Wilmer Flores came into the game later in a double switch and drove in the first run with a solo homer in the top of the sixth. 1B Adrian Gonzalez drew a based loaded walk in the sixth, but then pinch hitter Brandon Nimmo struck out with the based loaded to end the inning. In the top of the eighth inning, 2B Asdrubal Cabrera single and LF Yoenis Cespedes walked, but RF Jay Bruce struck out and 1B Adrian Gonzalez grounded into a double play to end the inning. CF Juan Lagares singled to lead off the top of the ninth inning, but wouldn't advance any further.

The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon at 12:35 against the Reds in the final game of the series.