Reds 7 Mets 6
It wasn't easy. It was a win.
The Reds bolted to a 7-1 lead by the 5th inning, knocking Mets emergency starter David Peterson out of the game. But Reds pitching made things interesting, allowing the Mets to score the next five runs to make it 7-6. David Bell then asked for four outs from Alexis Diaz and the closer delivered, locking down a 7-6 win in the opener of the series Tuesday night at GABP.
The Mets clobbered four homers in a losing effort, two by 21-year old catcher Francisco Alvarez.
Big nights:
Friedl 2 H, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, SB, up to .328
India H, 3 RBI to extending his hit streak to six games
Senzel, hitting in the 2nd spot for the first time since September 13 of last year, had a 2 H, RBI, R
He's driven in a run in 12 runs in his last 13 games.
Steer had a career high three walks.
Offense:
1st inning: Nick Senzel slapped a 2B the other way and Tyler Stephenson slapped a two out single up the middle for a 1-0 lead.
2nd inning: Jonathan India RBI ground out and Senzel RBI infield single pushed the lead to 3-0.
4th inning: India added an RBI double to score Luke Maile (2B) and knock SP David Peterson out of the game at 4-1 and one out.
5th inning: TJ Friedl 2 RBI triple 6-1.
5th inning: India sac fly 7-1.
Weaving his way: Luke Weaver 6.0+ IN, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 3 HR, 82 pitches/57 strikes. He entered the 7th inning at just 74 pitches but was done after allowing his 3rd homer of night. He threw a first pitch strike to 17 of 23 batters faced. He's allowed 8 HR in 22 innings this season.
Trouble brewing: The Mets knocked Weaver out, cutting the deficit to 7-3, and loaded the bases with 0 outs in the 7th vs Derek Law. But he limited the damage to one more run and it was 7-4.
Trouble found: Francisco Lindor rocketed a 2-run 8th inning homer off Alex Young to cut the Reds lead to 7-6. Young has allowed homers in three of his last four appearances, following a 41.2-inning homerless streak covering 38 appearances back to 2021.
In, out: Lucas Sims got an out in the 8th, but issued a walk and a single on an 0 and 2 pitch and was done.
4-out save attempt: Alex Diaz came on with 2 outs in the 8th, issued a walk, but got a strikeout to end the inning. He tossed a 1-2-3 9th.
Glove love: Stuart Fairchild made a really nice running catch along the left field foul line, bracing his leg against the padding of the wall. Kevin Newman made a really nice play at SS and then a nice running back with his back to the infield.
Blind as a bat: Home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman made the case for robot umpires. He appeared to be making up the strike zone as he went.
Power plant: Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez recorded his first multi-homer game, hitting both off Weaver.
Push back: Nick Lodolo's next start was moved back a day, due to a sore left calf. Hunter Greene Wednesday, TBD Thursday (Ben Lively?), Graham Ashcraft Friday, Lodolo Saturday.