On a day meant to celebrate David Wright’s legacy, the New York Mets couldn’t deliver the storybook ending, falling 5-2 to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday at Citi Field.
New York struck early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead behind a Mark Vientos RBI single and a solo home run from Brett Baty in the second. But missed chances haunted the Mets all afternoon. They went just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, left 11 men on base, and failed to capitalize with the bases loaded twice.
Starter Clay Holmes allowed five runs (four earned) over 5.1 innings, undone by defensive miscues and soft contact. Luis Torrens’ errant pickoff throw in the third led to Cincinnati’s first run, and Holmes was lifted in the sixth after a dribbler down the third-base line extended the inning. The Reds added on, and the Mets couldn’t keep pace.
New York mounted one last threat in the ninth, putting two on for Juan Soto, who narrowly missed a game-tying homer down the right-field line. After a foul-ball review, Soto struck out, and Pete Alonso’s deep fly ended the rally.
There were some bright spots, including Baty’s two-hit game and a clean return from lefty Brooks Raley, who struck out two in his season debut.
The Mets look to avoid being swept on Sunday with David Peterson on the mound. The first pitch is set for 1:40 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.