The Reds lose their wild card spot after an 8-4 defeat to the Mets, with Vogelbach contributing a 3-run double.
The New York Mets dealt a blow to Cincinnati’s chances of securing a wild card spot with an 8-4 win on Sunday. Pinch-hitter Daniel Vogelbach played a crucial role in the seventh inning, driving in three runs with a double. The Reds’ sloppy performance contributed to their defeat.
Cincinnati (78-73) fell half a game behind Miami and Arizona in the race for the final wild card spot in the NL. The Diamondbacks had a later game on Sunday.
The Reds committed errors by third baseman Noelvi Marte, first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and pitcher Carson Spiers. As a result, Cincinnati gave up two unearned runs to the Mets (69-80), preventing them from completing a three-game sweep.
José Quintana (3-5) allowed two runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.
In the first inning, Noelvi Marte gave Cincinnati the lead by hitting an RBI single. In the second inning, Francisco Álvarez contributed with a two-run double, while the Mets also benefited from a run-scoring wild pitch by Brandon Williamson (4-5).
In the fifth inning, Nick Senzel hit a home run, reducing the Reds’ disadvantage to 3-2. However, Encarnacion-Strand’s mistake in the bottom half resulted in Mark Vientos hitting an RBI single, achieving a career-high of three hits.
The Reds lose their wild card spot after an 8-4 defeat to the Mets, with Vogelbach contributing a 3-run double.
After Spiers’ throwing error on Vientos’ comebacker wasted a double-play opportunity, Vogelbach’s double to the base of the center-field wall and Ronny Mauricio’s RBI single put the Mets ahead 8-2.
Encarnacion-Strand hit a two-run homer in the eighth off Jeff Brigham, his eighth home run this season.
In four innings, Williamson allowed a total of three runs.
Trainer’s room
Reds: C Luke Maile (left hand) sat out his second straight game. Maile was hit by a pitch on Friday night. … RHP Graham Ashcroft (right big toe) will undergo surgery Tuesday.
Mets: Manager Buck Showalter said 3B Brett Baty (left groin) is recovering more slowlyr than expected but could sreturn to the lineup Monday.
Up next
Reds: Cincinnati opens its final homestand Monday with a three-game series against AL Central-leading Minnesota, which starts RHP Joe Ryan (10-9, 4.20 ERA).
Mets: RHP José Butto (1-2, 3.46 ERA), who earned his first major league win last Tuesday, starts Monday as New York opens its last trip of the year at Miami and RHP Edward Cabrera (6-7, 4.52 ERA).
