The Mets began the second half of the season with a disappointing 8-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.
Here are the takeaways…
-Things couldn't have started better for New York following the break. Sean Manaea was making his first start after looking impressive in his season debut against the Kansas City Royals in the final game of the first half and he struck out the side in the first inning in his return to Citi Field.
–Juan Soto kept the energy inside the ballpark going with a solo shot in the bottom half of the frame that gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. The home run was Soto's 24th of the season and he's now hit a league-leading 16 home runs since May 31.
-New York kept the pressure high on the Reds and Nick Lodolo in the second inning. Brandon Nimmo led off with a walk, stole second and came around to score on Jeff McNeil's RBI single.
-Holding Cincinnati to without a hit over the first three innings, Manaea allowed a home run to Austin Hays to lead off the fourth inning — the lefty's only blemish of the night. Still not fully stretched out, Manaea was done after four terrific innings in which he allowed a run on a hit and two walks with six strikeouts while throwing 69 pitches (42 strikes). He's struck out 13 batters so far in 7.1 innings since coming off the IL.
-With Manaea out of the game, the Reds took full advantage of the Mets' bullpen, which continues to struggle. Alex Carillo was the first arm out of the pen and after getting two quick outs, the right-hander hit TJ Friedl before giving up a two-run shot to Matt McLain, which gave Cincy the lead.
-Carillo went back out for the sixth and the Reds continued to feast. First up was Hays, who hit his second solo homer of the game to lead off an inning and doubled the Mets' deficit. After a walk and a wild pitch, Tyler Stephenson smacked a two-run blast to bust things open and give his team a 6-2 advantage.
-Carillo was only able to record four outs and his final line was not pretty: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 3 HR.
-The bullpen wasn't all to blame, though, as the Mets' offense was completely stifled after their encouraging start. Lodolo settled in and found his groove, going seven innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits, a walk and seven strikeouts. Entering the ninth, the only baserunners for New York after McNeil's RBI single in the second inning came from Luis Torrens (single in the fifth) and Nimmo (infield single in the seventh).
-Both players did their part in trying to stage an unlikely comeback via a two-out rally in the final frame. With two outs, Nimmo doubled before Ronny Mauricio reached on an error, which scored a run. McNeil walked, pinch-hitter Brett Baty hit an infield single and Torrens made it 8-4 with another single.
-As the tying run at the plate, Francisco Lindor popped out to second base to finish an 0-for-5 night.
–Brandon Waddell mopped up the final 3.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits and three walks.
Game MVP: Austin Hays
Hays finished 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and two walks out of the cleanup spot.
Highlights
Sean Manaea strikes out the side in the first inning! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1IVNA55dWl
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 18, 2025
Juan Soto puts the Mets ahead early with a solo home run! 🍎 pic.twitter.com/RFerHCFQyg
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 18, 2025
Jeff McNeil's RBI single brings home Brandon Nimmo! pic.twitter.com/HrOwZGi8WX
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 18, 2025
What's next
The Mets and Reds continue their three-game series on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. on SNY. Before the game, David Wright will have his number retirement ceremony.
RHP Clay Holmes (8-4, 3.31 ERA) goes for New York. He will be opposed by RHP Nick Martinez (7-9, 4.78 ERA).
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