Jakob Junis had an outstanding start and didn’t give up a hit until the 5th inning, but the Reds bullpen couldn’t continue what he started. New York would take advantage of his exiting the game and score four runs in the 6th inning to put the game out of reach as the Mets topped Cincinnati 4-0 on Saturday to pick up a series win.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Mets (78-64) |
0 | 6 | 1 |
| Cincinnati Reds (68-75) | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| W: Quintana (8-9) L: Moll (3-2) |
|||
| Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Cincinnati Reds are still starting relief pitchers as they try to just survive through the end of the season. But on this day Jakob Junis sure looked like a starter. One of the Reds trade deadline acquisitions, Junis didn’t give up a hit until the bottom of the 5th inning when former Red Jose Iglesis doubled into the right field corner. He would be stranded there as the game remained scoreless thanks in part to Mets starter Jose Quintana holding Cincinnati’s hitters down, too.
When the Reds went to the bullpen in the bottom of the 6th inning they turned things over to Sam Moll. And things didn’t go as he, nor Cincinnati would have hoped for. On the second pitch of the inning he gave up a home run to former Red Harrison Bader that put the Mets up 1-0. Moll then walked Francisco Lindor and hit Brandon Nimmo before he was replaced on the mound by Carson Spiers. After getting a pop up, Spiers gave up an RBI single to Pete Alonso that added another run to the lead. A 2-out double by J.D. Martinez brought in two more runs and it was quickly 4-0.
The Reds would get a 2-out single from Santiago Espinal on an infield hit, and he took second base when the throw across the diamond got by Pete Alonso. Espinal then stole third, but he was stranded there when pinch hitter Will Benson struck out to end the threat.
New York would threaten once more against Carson Spiers in the bottom of the 8th inning after Pete Alonso reached on a fielding error by Santiago Espinal to begin the inning and Jose Iglesias came through with a 2-out single to put runners on the corners. Spiers was able to get a line out to end the inning, though, sending the game to the 9th with the Mets holding a 4-run lead.
Tyler Stephenson reached base to begin the inning when he was hit in the shoulder. Spencer Steer then popped up on the first pitch he saw, but Ty France came through with a single to put two men on for the Reds. Rece Hinds struck out on three pitches, leaving the game in the hands of Santiago Espinal and Mets closer Edwin Diaz. A pop up to shortstop would end the game as Diaz completed the shutout and pushed the winning streak to nine games for New York with a 4-0 win.
Key Moment of the Game
Sam Moll not recording an out in the 6th inning, leading to a 4-run inning for the Mets.
Notes Worth Noting
Jakob Junis has allowed one run in his last three outings, covering 12.2 innings for the Reds.
Hunter Greene could return in two weeks against the Pittsburgh Pirates according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. It will have been five weeks since his last start if he makes that return date.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs New York Mets
Sunday September 8th, 1:40pm ET
Julian Aguiar (1-0, 6.48 ERA) vs Luis Severino (10-6, 3.84 ERA)
The post Reds lose 4-0 as the Mets win their 9th in a row appeared first on Redleg Nation.