Mets Complete Sweep of Reds, Half Game Behind Giants For Top Wild Card Spot

(AP Photo)

The New York Mets continue to roll. Their 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon puts the Mets at a 74-66 record on the season. Since the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Mets and Cardinals are now tied for the second wild card spot in the National League. The Rockies defeated the Giants, so the Mets are just a half game back of San Francisco for the top Wild Card spot.

Noah Syndergaard pitched five scoreless innings, gave up six hits, walked four, and struck out seven on 95 pitches in his 12th victory of the season. It wasn’t Syndergaard’s best start, but it was good enough. And despite an 8th inning scare from the bullpen, the Mets bats stayed hot to give New York the three game sweep. The victory was also the 14th consecutive victory over the Cincinnati Reds which is their second longest streak against one team in franchise history. The longest was a 15 game winning streak against the Pirates from 1986-1987.

Jose Reyes got things started for the Mets on the very first pitch of the game with a solo home run to right field. Reyes then showed off his speed on the bases in the third inning when he scored on a wild pitch. Reyes has only played 40 games with the Mets this year, but his impact has been felt.

“I thought he was going to be a guy that could create some runs by getting on base,” Terry Collins said about Reyes. “But he’s gotten big hits. There’s no question there’s a lot of baseball left in that guy.”

Curtis Grandson continued his hot streak as he went 2-for-5 with another home run, his third in his last three games. He now has 25 homers on the year. Wilmer Flores provided the insurance they needed with a two-run shot in the 8th inning for his 16th of the year.

It is absolutely incredible to think where this team was on August 19 after their loss to the Giants. The Mets held a record of 60-62 and were 5.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot. Despite injuries to several ace pitchers and several every day players, the Mets have fought through the adversity to put themselves in a really good spot with just 22 games left to play. A lot can happen in those 22 games, but the Mets weak schedule down the stretch should give Mets fans everywhere hope.

The Mets have Thursday off and will be in Atlanta for a weekend series with the Braves. And remember the aforementioned weak schedule? The Mets have six games with the Braves remaining and seven with the Phillies.