Series Recap: Mets Sweep Reds
Greetings Riverfrontballers,
I would first like to extend my sincerest apologies for not writing a game two recap. I always put the recaps up the next morning so that there is time to sink in to truly evaluate what happened. However, due to the fact that game two was played on both Saturday and Sunday, I thought it would be better if I made the series recap a bit longer. So before we get into the recap of the series, how about the summary for game two?
Game 2 Summary:
For a while there it seemed like the Cincinnati Reds had regained their stride. They had won back-to-back series, and were scoring runs in large quantities. The pitching had been solid and the bullpen had been very effective. However, for the second straight day against the New York Mets, the Reds seemed lethargic.
The Mets struck first in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Curtis Granderson hit his 13th home run of the season, 1-0 Mets. The Reds would then tie the game in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Brandon Phillips doubled for the 7th time this season to chase in Tucker Barnhart, 1-1.
The next seven innings would remain scoreless. There were a couple of threats here and there, but nothing like the bottom of the 13th inning, where the Mets would end the game.
The Reds relieved Carlos Contreras of his duties for Nate Adcock. Dilson Herrera would walk to to start the inning, and Curtis Granderson would single into right field and send Herrera to third base. With runners at the corners and no one out, the Reds would pull in the infield to try and cut off the runner attempting to score. Ruben Tejada would sharply ground a ball towards Eugenio Suarez. Suarez could not field the ball cleanly. Herrera did not score, but Granderson and Tejada both reached safely.
Then came Lucas Duda. The Reds at this point still wanted to play a shift on Duda, but wanted to protect the left side of the infield, thus bringing in Skip Schumaker from the left field to play as an extra infielder. On a 1-1 pitch count, Duda would bounce a ball the right side towards Joey Votto. Votto would give a slight hop to attempt to catch the ball for an easy force out at the plate, and a possible double play; however, Votto dropped the ball and all runners were safe. The official scorer gave Duda a hit, claiming extra effort for the small hop Votto gave to attempt a play on the ball.
Mets win. They extended their series lead to 2-0.
Now for the blowout that was Sunday afternoon.
Game Summary:
Ironically after the Reds not being able to score for eight inning in the previous game, Brandon Phillips led off the first inning with a solo home run to take a 1-0 early Reds lead.
That was quickly negated by a 2-run Mets second inning. With two on and two out, the Mets’ rookie pitcher, Steven Matz, got a hit in his first Major League at bat. It was a double to center field and two runs scored, 2-1 Mets.
Jun 28, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) making his MLB debut hits a two run double in his first major league at bat against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Todd Frazier would tie the game up with his 25th home run of the season in the 4th inning, 2-2; however, that was the last run the Reds would score in the series.
Curtis Granderson continued his crusade against Cincinnati with a double in the 5th inning to chase home Eric Campbell, 3-2 Mets. In the 6th inning Steven Matz would add to his impressive MLB debut with a two run single into the center field, 5-2 Mets. Tejada would later ground into a force play at second base, but Campbell would score, 6-2 Mets.
Thankfully Curtis Granderson would be the final Met to drive in a run. In the 8th inning, he would single in a run to make the score 7-2, and that is where the sweep would end.