New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Francisco Lindor went 2-for-5 with a double and solo home run and Sean Manaea went five strong innings, allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts and two walks to lead the Mets to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. With it, they took their first series victory of the season.
“This was a good series win,” manager Carlos Mendoza said (h/t SNY). “The guys came back today, battled, prepared, put together some good at-bats. That was good to see that throughout the game.”
Manaea was supported by a stellar effort from the Mets (3-6) bullpen, which saw Jorge Lopez, Brooks Raley, Adam Ottavino, and Edwin Diaz combine for four shutout, hitless innings. Diaz put the finishing touches on in the ninth inning for his second save in three days — striking out a pair in a 1-2-3 frame.
“Credit to the bullpen… Shoutout to them,” Mendoza said. “They are a big part of what we’re doing here. It was good to see them continue to attack, throw strikes… continue to make pitches.”
Lindor’s big day provided a breakout of sorts. The star shortstop started the season 1-for-31 at the plate which included an 0-for-24 slump entering Sunday’s series finale in Cincinnati.
“It feels really good to be able to contribute to the team,” Lindor said. “Nothing else matters but winning. Whenever you can do something to help the team win, it feels really good.”
The Mets took an early lead, scoring their first first-inning run of the 2024 season. With two outs and Lindor on second following a double, Francisco Alvarez’s grounder to first prompted an errant throw from Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who threw behind starting pitcher Andrew Abbott trying to race to the bag. It allowed Lindor to score from second as the ball scattered away from Reds…
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