The New York Mets dropped their fifth straight game on Tuesday night, falling 7-2 to the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field as their season record slid to 22-33.
David Peterson was once again unable to settle in, allowing a career-high 11 hits and six runs across five-plus innings. The left-hander nearly escaped early damage in the first inning before Eugenio Suárez delivered a two-run double to open the scoring. Peterson was repeatedly put under pressure, including a bases-loaded jam in the second, but managed to escape without further damage at the time. Cincinnati eventually broke through in the fourth, stacking three straight singles before Elly De La Cruz delivered a two-run double to break the game open.
Peterson briefly regrouped with a clean third inning and an efficient fifth, but the Reds continued to add on in the sixth before his night ended after 90 pitches. He finished with four strikeouts and three walks while continuing a stretch of inconsistency for the Mets rotation.
New York’s offense showed only brief resistance. Juan Soto provided the lone major highlight, crushing a two-run home run off Chase Burns in the sixth inning. The Mets finished with just four hits and were unable to sustain momentum against the Cincinnati bullpen after Burns exited.
Sean Manaea worked in relief, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and keeping New York within striking distance before the Reds tacked on another run in the eighth.
The Mets close out the three-game series against the Reds on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. New York has not yet announced its starting pitcher, while Cincinnati will send Andrew Abbott to the mound.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.