The New York Mets were held to just two hits on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, both solo home runs, as a ninth-inning rally came up short in a 3-2 series-deciding loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Brandon Sproat made his Major League debut and impressed. The 23-year-old carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and finished with three runs allowed on three hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked four.
Cincinnati got on the board in the fourth without a hit. After a walk and stolen base by Noelvi Marte, Ke’Bryan Hayes drove him in with a sacrifice fly. The Reds added two more in the sixth, an RBI double by Elly De La Cruz and a run-scoring single from Austin Hays.
Hunter Greene overpowered the Mets over seven innings, striking out 12 and walking two. The only hit he allowed came on a solo homer by Brett Baty in the third. Greene, who touched 101 mph with his fastball, recorded 21 swings and misses.
Juan Soto trimmed the deficit to one with a solo home run off Tony Santillan in the ninth, extending his on-base streak to 16 games. After Pete Alonso reached on a throwing error and Brandon Nimmo singled, the Mets had the tying and go-ahead runs on with one out. But Starling Marte bounced into a game-ending double play.
Box Score | NL East Standings | NL Wild Card Standings
Next, the Mets (76-67) head to Philadelphia to open a four-game series with the Phillies (83-60) on Monday at 6:40 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].