Mets Lose To Reds 8-4 After Bullpen Struggles

 

Mets RHP Alejandro Carrilo (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets lost to the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 tonight at Citi Field for their second consecutive loss in the first game after the All-Star break and dropped their record to 55-43.

The Met offense got off to a fast start in the bottom of the first after RF Juan Soto hit a solo homer.

In the bottom of the second, LF Brandon Nimmo led off with a walk and stole second and two batters later, 2B Jeff McNeil drove in McNeil with a RBI single.

The offense did not do much after that until the bottom of the ninth after Nimmo doubled with two outs and then 3B Ronny Mauricio reached on an error by RF Connor Joe which allowed Nimmo to score.

McNeil followed with a walk and then pinch-hitter Brett Baty reached on an infield hit.

Catcher Luis Torrens then drive in Mauricio.

SS Francisco Lindor came up next with the based loaded and two outs and a chance to tie the game, but flew out to second to end the game.

LHP Sean Manaea started out well with a dominating top of the first striking out the side and then cruised the next two innings.

Manaea gave up a solo homer to LF Austin Hays to lead off the top of the fourth and was taken out after the inning.

Manaea's final line was four innings, one hit, one run, two walks and six strikeouts.

LHP Alex Carillo came in next in the top of the fifth and after retiring the first two hitters, hit CF TJ Friedl and then gave up a two-run homer to 2B Matt McLain.

Carillo came back out for the top of the sixth and had more troubles after he gave up another homer to Hays to lead off an inning and after a walk and wild pitch, a two-run homer to DH Tyler Stephenson.

Carillo was taken out later in the inning and LHP Brandon Waddell had to come in to get the last two outs.

Waddell stayed in for the top of the seventh and gave up a lead-off double to McLain and a RBI single to the following hitter, SS Ella De La Cruz.

Waddel came back out for the top of the eighth and after retiring the first two hitters, hit Friedl, and walked McLain and De La Cruz to load the bases and then walked Hays to bring in a run.

Waddell stayed in for the top of the ninth and threw a scoreless inning.

The Mets next game is tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, July 19 at home against the Reds at 4:10 p.m. Prior to the game, David Wright will have a ceremony for his number retirement.