Reds Lose Another One-Run Game, Falling To Mets

Apr 2, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) dives and misses a ball during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Reds were involved in another one-run game for the fourth straight game, but they couldn’t solve New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda, who hit  two-run homers in consecutive at-bats to lead the Mets to a 4-3 win over the Reds Friday night at Citi Field in Flushing, New York.

Mets starter Jenrry Mejia, who allowed one run and struck out a career-high eight over six solid innings as the Mets won for the first time in 2014.

Mejia allowed four hits and five walks but stranded seven runners. He ended his night by striking out opposing pitcher Mike Leake to leave runners at the corners in the sixth.

Billy Hamilton got the night off, but pinched ran and was thrown out for the second out of the eighth inning.  Jose Valverde earned his first save despite allowing a hit and a walk in the ninth, he struck out Jay Bruce to end the game, leaving runners on first and second.

Bruce went 2-for-5, including a two run homerun in the seventh to bring the Reds within one and had all three RBIs for the Reds (1-3). Center fielder Roger Bernadina drew three walks and catcher Brayan Pena reached base in three of his four plate appearances via two walks and a single.

Leake allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over 6 2/3 innings.

The Reds took advantage of two Mejia walks to open a 1-0 lead in the third.

With one out, Bernadina walked and went to second on second baseman Brandon Phillips’ comebacker that bounced off Mejia and caromed to catcher Travis d’Arnaud. First baseman Joey Votto then worked a walk and Bruce followed with an RBI single to center.

The Mets took the lead on consecutive pitches in the fourth, when right fielder Curtis Granderson delivered his third double in the last two games before Duda crushed a two-run homer to right.

The Reds will be back at it tomorrow afternoon as Johnny Cueto will take the mound looking to build on his outstanding opening day start Monday against the Cardinals giving up one run in seven strong innings in a 1-0 loss.

First pitch is at 1:10pm.