Mets hold off Reds' comeback attempt

Field Level Media|published: Fri 5th April, 22:05 2024

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) hits a double in the fourth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, April 5, 2024. credits: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pete Alonso drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded grounder and Jeff McNeil homered to lead the visiting New York Mets to a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.

Alonso, who hit a game-tying solo homer in Thursday's second game of a doubleheader, came up against Fernando Cruz (0-1) with the bases loaded. He hit a chopper that Elly De La Cruz didn't handle cleanly, allowing Harrison Bader to score in the seventh.

Drew Smith (1-0) worked his way out of a jam in the sixth inning to earn the win.

Jonathan India reached to open the ninth on a fielding error by Mets closer Edwin Diaz. Spencer Steer then worked a walk. Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a chopper up the middle that Francisco Lindor tried to turn into a double play but was late stepping on the bag at second but got Encarnacion-Strand at first.

After a sacrifice fly by Jeimer Candelario that scored India, Diaz struck out Jake Fraley to end the game for his first save in his first chance this season.

It was a game of missed opportunities for the Reds, who stranded 12 runners on base and went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The Reds left the bases loaded twice, including in the seventh when De La Cruz looked at three strikes against lefty reliever Brooks Raley.

Cincinnati starter Hunter Greene hit Lindor, the first batter of the game, with his second pitch before allowing a two-out flare to Brett Baty, just inside the third-base bag.

Starling Marte struck out looking as Greene worked his way out of trouble.

Steer put the Reds on top in the bottom of the first when he lined a 3-2 sinker to the seats in left for his second homer this season.

The Reds had runners on first and second in the third and couldn't score off Mets starter Jose Quintana. De La Cruz doubled down the left-field line to extend his hitting streak to 12 games with one out in the fourth but was stranded.

The Mets tied the score in the fifth against Greene when Tyrone Taylor walked to open the inning and Bader singled with one out.

Greene got ahead of DJ Stewart, who is hitless this season. But on a 1-2 pitch, Greene drilled him on the elbow to load the bases. Lindor lifted a sacrifice fly to center to tie the score.

Greene finished with another no-decision, allowing three hits and one run over six innings.

—Field Level Media