Mets Escape Reds with 5-4 Thriller at Great American Ball Park

Mets closer Edwin Díaz wriggled out of a bases-loaded jam to preserve a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds Saturday night in Cincinnati. The win extended New York’s edge in the National League wild-card race and halted Cincinnati’s three-game skid.

Nut Graf: In a must-win contest for both clubs fighting for postseason positioning, New York jumped ahead early on a Mark Vientos homer and key doubles by Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. Cincinnati rallied late, loading the bases in the ninth before Díaz induced back-to-back strikeouts and a game-ending grounder-underscoring the high drama as playoff contention intensifies.

Early Offense Sets the Tone

The Mets manufactured a three-run lead by the end of the first inning. Brandon Nimmo’s sacrifice fly and Starling Marte’s RBI single chased starter Andrew Abbott, putting New York up 3-0 almost before fans settled in. In the third, Vientos crushed a 427-foot solo homer to center, giving the Mets a 4-0 cushion.

Reds Battle Back

Cincinnati answered in the third when TJ Friedl’s sacrifice fly plated Noelvi Marte, cutting the deficit to 4-1. In the fourth, Tyler Stephenson’s two-run double and Ke’Bryan Hayes’ sacrifice fly brought the Reds within one run at 5-4, silencing the Mets’ offense for the next five innings.

Ninth-Inning Heroics

With the game on the line, Díaz entered amid a bases-loaded, no-out jam. He struck out Noelvi Marte swinging, fanned Elly De La Cruz, and induced Gavin Lux to ground to second-where Ozzie Albies’ relay to Díaz sealed the win and kept New York’s playoff hopes alive.

Key Statistics

• Mark Vientos: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
• Francisco Lindor: 1-for-1, 3 BB, 2 R
• Juan Soto: 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
• Andrew Abbott (L): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 5 K
• David Peterson (W): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K

The Mets return home to face the Phillies, while the Reds prepare for a Sunday rubber match as both teams seek momentum in the playoff chase.