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The Reds' lineup strikes out, struggles vs. left-handers in loss to the Mets

charlie goldsmith, cincinnati enquirer
·4 min read

The Cincinnati Reds’ series opener against the New York Mets provided a reminder of one of the biggest flaws of the Reds’ roster.

As the Mets beat the Reds, 3-2, on Friday at Great American Ball Park, the Reds struggled again against left-handed pitching.

Mets left-handed starter Jose Quintana allowed one run in 5 ⅔ innings on Friday, and left-handed reliever Brooks Raley got the game-changing strikeout against Elly De La Cruz with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.

New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader (44) catches a fly ball in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, April 5, 2024.
New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader (44) catches a fly ball in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Without Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte, who are both on the injured list, the Reds are missing two players who they planned to be power hitters against left-handed pitching this year. Jeimer  Candelario has been in a slump. De La Cruz hasn’t tapped into his power yet and didn’t even swing when he was up at the plate in the seventh inning with the bases loaded.

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The Reds had seven hits on Friday, but they managed to leave 12 runners on base. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Reds right fielder Jake Fraley struck out with the game winning run 90 feet away.

Hunter Greene had a strong start for the Reds, going six innings while allowing one run on three hits and striking out six and walking one. He has a 2.53 ERA in two starts.
Hunter Greene had a strong start for the Reds, going six innings while allowing one run on three hits and striking out six and walking one. He has a 2.53 ERA in two starts.

The Reds didn’t capitalize on a standout start from Hunter Greene, who allowed just one run in six innings and overpowered Mets hitters all game. Greene filled up the strike zone, had a great feel for his slider and mixed and matched his pitches to stay in command throughout his appearance.

The Reds and Mets were tied at 1 when Greene left the game, and reliever Fernando Cruz picked up the loss.

"I felt great, felt like I made pitches," said Greene, who has a 2.53 ERA after two starts. "Luke (Maile) called a great game. I felt like I was able to execute and get ahead and put guys away when I needed to."

Cruz had been the Reds’ most impressive reliever during the first week of the season, but he couldn’t find the strike zone on Friday. He loaded the bases on three walks, which set up an opportunity for Mets first baseman Pete Alonso to drive in the go-ahead run on a ground ball that didn’t leave the infield.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mets left-handers shut down the Reds lineup in the series opener