Mets Edge Reds 5-4 as Vientos Homers, Díaz Shuts Door in Ninth
Mark Vientos hit a solo home run and drove in two, while Edwin Díaz navigated a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to secure a 5-4 Mets victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, as seen in the sports card above. The win, New York’s seventh in 11 games, kept them four games ahead of San Francisco for the final NL wild card spot, while Cincinnati (70-71) fell six games back with 21 to play.
Vientos sparked the Mets with a three-run first inning and a third-inning homer, while Francisco Lindor walked three times and scored twice. The Mets jumped on Reds starter Andrew Abbott (8-6) for all five runs in the first four innings. Cincinnati’s Tyler Stephenson, fresh off the injured list, hit a two-run double and scored in the fourth to close the gap to 5-4.
David Peterson (9-5) allowed four runs over 5 1/3 innings, and the Mets’ bullpen held firm. Díaz, despite loading the bases with no outs in the ninth, struck out Noelvi Marte and Elly De La Cruz and induced a groundout from Gavin Lux for his 26th save, even pausing to change his spikes mid-inning.
Key Momen:
Vientos’ third-inning homer gave the Mets a 4-0 lead, setting the stage for their early cushion.
Key Stat:
The Reds struggled, going 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position, including Matt McLain’s strikeout with the bases loaded in the sixth.
Up Next:
Mets prospect Jonah Tong (1-0, 1.80 ERA) faces Reds’ Brady Singer (12-9, 4.08 ERA) on Saturday.
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