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Matz, Mets flush Reds: NYM 7, CIN 2

Reds get swept in New York

By Andrew Shinkle
Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

I hate to do it, but the Reds leave me no choice: Player of the Game honors go to Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz.  In his major league debut, he threw 110 pitchers over seven and two thirds innings, allowing five hits (including two solo home runs), three walks and six strikeouts.  The real story, though, was his day at the plate, where he went 3-3 with two singles, a double and four runs batted in.  Welcome to the big leagues, Steven, but don't think it's always going to be this easy.

Honorable mentions are due to Brandon Phillips and Todd Frazier for hitting the aforementioned solo home runs, and to Josh Smith, who allowed one earned run over five innings and worked out of a couple of jams.  He wasn't great, but he at least improved on his first outing.

Key Plays:

  • Brandon Phillips opened the game by hitting a lead off home run to give the Reds the early 1-0 lead.
  • In the bottom of the 2nd, Darrell Ceciliani reached on yet another Eugenio Suarez error.  He advanced to third on a pair of groundouts, and then Josh Smith intentionally walked Eric Campbell to bring Matz to the plate.  In his first ever plate appearance, Matz doubled, scoring two runs.  Mets lead 2-1.
  • In the bottom of the 3rd, Marlon Byrd robbed Wilmer Flores of a possible home run with a leaping catch at the wall to keep the Mets lead at one.
  • Leading off the 4th, Todd Frazier homered to left to tie the game at 2.
  • Campbell drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the 5th, then after failing to get a bunt down, Matz singled for his second hit of the day/his career, advancing Campbell to third.  Curtis Granderson doubled Campbell home, but Smith and the Reds managed to prevent any further runs, despite the fact that the Mets had runners on second and third with no outs.  Mets lead 3-2.
  • In the top of the 6th, Pedro Villarreal relieved Smith and promptly loaded the bases with no outs on two singles and a hit batsman.  This brought the ever dangerous Matz to the plate, and he singled to score two more runs.  Two batters later, another run scored on a Phillips throwing error.  Mets lead 6-2.
  • In the bottom of the 8th, after a walk to Campbell, Michael Cuddyer reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and scored on a Granderson single, giving the Mets a 7-2 lead.

Fangraph:

<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2015-06-28&team=Mets&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2015-06-28&team=Mets&dh=0&season=2015">FanGraphs</a></span>

Other Notes:

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