The Sports Xchange
Aug 30, 2017
CINCINNATI -- Rafael Montero allowed one hit through eight innings, and RBI doubles by Wilmer Flores and Kevin Plawecki provided all the offense in the first inning, lifting the New York Mets to a 2-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park.
Montero pitched a career-high 8 1/3 innings, allowing three hits. He struck out eight, two shy of his career high. Montero (3-9) allowed only four baserunners through the first eight innings, three via walks, and one of them was picked off.
Montero had retired 12 straight batters before allowing a one-out single to Phillip Ervin and a double to Zack Cozart in the ninth. Joey Votto was intentionally walked to load the bases, and closer AJ Ramos replaced Montero.
Ramos struck out Adam Duvall, then fanned Scooter Gennett on a 3-2 pitch for his 26th save of the season.
It was Montero's 13th start and 28th appearance. His last outing came in relief during the first game of a Sunday doubleheader at Washington.
New York (58-74) had a 14-game winning streak against Cincinnati snapped Tuesday night, but on Wednesday won for the 12th time in its past 15 games at Great American Ball Park.
It was the Mets' fifth shutout win of the season, third on the road.
After allowing two runs and three doubles in the first inning, Reds starter Homer Bailey (4-7) cruised through the remainder of his six-inning outing, allowing just one hit and a walk in his final five frames. He walked one and struck out one in 73 pitches.
Right-hander Tim Adleman pitched three scoreless innings to keep Cincinnati close, but the Reds (56-77) were shut out for the fifth time this season and fourth time at home.
Bailey, who left his previous start after three innings with irritation in the back of his throwing shoulder, showed lower velocity compared with recent outings but managed to recover from a rough first inning.
Jose Reyes led off with a double and later scored on Flores' two-out double to put the Mets ahead 1-0 in the first. Plawecki made it 2-0 with a double to left.
The Mets' defense helped out Montero.
Montero didn't allow a hit until Joey Votto's double with one out in the fourth. Duvall then walked, but a double play ended the threat. Montero walked Eugenio Suarez leading off the fifth, but Plawecki picked him off first.
NOTES: Mets RHP Matt Harvey will start Game 1 of a Saturday doubleheader at Houston. There was talk that the games against the Astros were going to be played in St. Petersburg, Fla., because of Hurricane Harvey. Instead, the Friday game was postponed to be part of a Saturday twin-bill. ... Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard (torn right lat) will begin a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Mets on Saturday. ... Reds CF Billy Hamilton was given a rest, though he flied out as a ninth-inning pinch hitter. Rookie Phillip Ervin made his first appearance in center and the leadoff spot, and he went 1-for-4.