Mets Lose To Reds 5-2 After Struggling With Men On Base

 

Mets RF Juan Soto (Photo Credits to SNY.TV)

The New York Mets lost to the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 this afternoon at Citi Field for their third consecutive loss and dropped their record to 55-44.

RHP Clay Holmes started out well with two scoreless innings, but then ran into trouble in the top of the third.

Holmes gave up a lead-off double to RF Jake Fraley and then hit 3B Noelvi Marte.

Holmes was then let down by his defense after catcher Luis Torrens made a throwing error on a pick-off which allowed Fraley to score.

Two batters later, Holmes gave up a RBI single to 2B Matt McClain and then got SS Ella De La Cruz to ground into a double play.

In the top of the fourth, Holmes gave up a lead-off walk to DH Austin Hays and three batters later, a RBI single to Fraley.

Holmes had a scoreless top of the fifth and then in the top of the sixth, gave up another lead-off walk to Hays and two batters later, gave up an infield hit to 1B Spencer Steer and was then taken out.

RHP Reed Garrett came in next and gave an RBI ground-out on a fielder's choice and then gave up a RBI double to Fraley.

LHP Brooks Raley followed in the top of the seventh in his season debut and had a fine outing with a 1-2-3 inning including two strikeouts.

RHP Ryne Stanek threw a scoreless top of the eighth.

RHP Chris Devenski threw a scoreless top of the ninth.

In the bottom of the first, LF Brandon Nimmo led off with a single and three batters later, 1B Pete Alonso singled.

DH Mark Vientos followed with a single and then CF Jeff McNeil walked to load the bases but 3B Ronny Mauricio grounded out to second to end the inning.

2B Brett Baty homered to lead off the bottom of the second, but then the next three hitters went down 1-2-3.

After a 1-2-3 bottom of the third, Baty and catcher Luis Torrens singled with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but then Nimmo lined out to right to end the threat.

In the bottom of the fifth, RF Juan Soto singled with one out and stole second, but then Alonso grounded out to second and Vientos flew out to right.

In the bottom of the sixth, McNeil led off with a walk and then Baty and Torrens walked to load the bases with one out.

However, Nimmo struck out and Lindor grounded out to first to waste a great scoring opportunity.

In the bottom of the seventh, Soto, Alonso and Vientos all went down in order by strikeout and in the bottom of the eighth, Maurico grounded into a rally killing double play after McNeil led off and reached on an error by Marte.

In the bottom of the ninth, Torrens led off with a single and Nimmo followed with a walk.

However, Lindor then grounded into a fielder's choice and Soto struck out and nearing hitting a game-tying homer that just went foul and Alonso flew out to right field for the last out of the game.

The Met offense struggled all game with runners on base wasting numerous scoring opportunities including leaving the based loaded twice.

They went 1-10 with runners in scoring position leaving 11 runners on base.

The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, July 20 at home against the Reds at 1:40 p.m.