Fueled by Mark Vientos‘ pair of two-run homers, the Mets began their three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds with a 6-4 win Friday in 10 innings. New York has won eight straight games, a season-best stretch.
Takeaways
1. Sean Manaea allowed more than three runs in a game for the first time since July 19, with a pair of game-tying two-run homers doing the damage — an uncharacteristic blemish to what was still an otherwise strong start. The left-hander allowed four runs on three hits while striking out nine, walking two and plunking one in 6.2 IP.
After the Mets went ahead with a two-out rally for a two-run sixth inning, Manaea blew the 4-2 lead on a two-out, two-run homer to TJ Friedl. Aside from Friedl’s long ball and Elly De La Cruz‘s two-run shot in the fourth inning, the Reds’ only other hit off Manaea was a second-inning single by Spencer Steer.
All year, Manaea (11-5, 3.33 ERA) has been nails for the Mets. The 64-strike, 97-pitch outing was two pitches away from being a fifth-straight quality start.
2. Have a year, Vientos. The third-hitting third baseman Vientos put the Mets on the board and up 2-0 on a second-inning homer, his 23rd of the season, before adding a seventh-inning single and a 10th-inning walk-off. Vientos, who is up to 62 RBI, has taken his opportunity this season and run with it.
3. Welcome back, J.D. Martinez. In his return from the paternity list, he posted a 1-for-4 effort that included a two-out RBI single in the sixth inning and added to the Mets’ 4-2 lead.
4. With the Atlanta Braves‘ 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Mets (77-64) remain in a tie for the third NL Wild Card spot. Even when there were opportunities for the Reds (68-74) to steal the opener, New York never backed down. This team showed playoff-caliber grit Friday at Citi Field.
Who’s the MVP?
Vientos, who started — and ended — the Mets’ scoring with his pair of two-run shots.
Highlights
What’s next
The Mets and Reds continue their series with Saturday’s 4:10 p.m. game on SNY.
New York is set to start left-hander Jose Quintana (7-9, 4.27 ERA).
