Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game
Joey Votto. The Man has been been playing rather Canadian lately, but he had a nice game tonight with a double and a home run. Nobody else had much offense, and the pitching was bad too. It's as we've said, nothing is clicking together. Honorable mentions go to Jay Bruce (a triple) and Miguel Cairo (a double).
Key Plays
- In the name of honorable sportsmanship, the Mets responded to the Jonny Gomes trade by shipping Carlos Beltran off to San Francisco before the game. A lucky break! Well, no, not exactly. Bronson Arroyo started off poorly, giving up a single to Jose Reyes. He got the next two outs before David Wright also singled. Then his preferred catcher, Ryan Hanigan, let him down with a passed ball, allowing both runners to move into scoring position. Angel Pagan happily obliged by smacking a double. Mets lead, 2-0.
- In the fourth inning, Joey Votto hit his second home run of the series. Apparently Gomes was holding him back. Mets lead, 2-1.
- Arroyo's opposite number, Mike Pelfrey, started the fifth inning by hitting a single. He was erased on a force out by Jose Reyes, but Reyes made up for it by stealing second and advancing to third on Hanigan's errant throw. Arroyo then walked Willie Harris, and Daniel Murphy hit a ball that Jay Bruce couldn't catch and went for a double. Reyes scored easily and Harris went all the way to third. David Wright's sacrifice fly brought Harris the rest of the way in. Mets lead, 4-1.
- Lucas Duda homered leading off the sixth. Mets lead, 5-1.
- Arroyo was clearly toast, so Jose Arredondo came in. And was awful. He walked his first batter, Willie Harris. Daniel Murphy then singled on a ball that deflected off Votto. And David Wright, quite naturally, hit a home run. Mets lead, 8-1.
- Jay Bruce has seen his power dry up in the summer heat, but he did hit a triple in the seventh inning. Chris Heisey then did something Cincinnati left fielders haven't done much in the last decade and hit a sacrifice fly. Mets win, 8-2.
Other Notes
- The Mets used only nine players, as Mike Pelfrey pitched a complete game, and the Mets never needed to go to their bench.
- The Reds defense continues to not impress. Reyes's leadoff single could have been an out, but the throw went in and out of Votto's glove.
- Duda's home run was the 30th allowed by Arroyo this season. It's one short of his career high. Arroyo has also allowed at least four runs in each of his last six starts.
- The Reds are four games under .500 for the first time this season.