Andrew Abbott Solid Again, But Cincinnati Reds Leave 17 On Base in Loss to Mets

The Reds had a chance to win four straight games on Wednesday night against the Mets. The offense had been heating up, and a rotation of Nick Lodolo, Chase Burns, and Andrew Abbott in Queens set Cincinnati up for success.

However, the Reds’ bats went quiet, as they stranded 17 runners in a 4-2 loss to the Mets. Blake Dunn was the only Red to record multiple hits, going 3 for 6. Streaking hitters like JJ Bleday, Eugenio Suarez, Tyler Stephenson, and Nate Lowe went a combined 2 for 13.

Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez had the chance to score runs in the first inning against Mets opener Huascar Brazobán, but neither could deliver. Juan Soto hit a home run for the second straight game, pulling an Andrew Abbott curveball just over the right field fence.

Elly De La Cruz made the play of the night soon after, diving with full-body extension to rob Marcus Semien of a single. Mets Designated hitter Eric Wagaman hit New York’s second home run of the night, giving them a 2-0 lead.

Nate Lowe singled through the middle, giving the Reds their first run as they were helped by shoddy infield play by the Mets.

Soon after, Elly De La Cruz showed the less-than-impressive side of his defensive prowess, committing an error leading to a Mets run later in the inning.

Tyler Stephenson led off the sixth inning with a double, followed by a Blake Dunn single and a De La Cruz hit-by-pitch. JJ Bleday popped out with one out and the bases loaded, wasting an opportunity. Sal Stewart hit a two-out infield single, but that’s all the Reds could muster with a big chance to produce multiple runs and tie the game.

However, that wasn’t the end of the Reds’ chances. Devin Williams walked three in the ninth inning, but strikeouts of Dane Meyers and Blake Dunn ended the game, giving the Mets a 4-2 lead.

Unfortunately for the Reds, you could say luck wasn’t in their favor on Wednesday night. As 700 WLW radio host Lance McAlister pointed out, six of the Reds’ eight batted balls over 99.3 mph were outs.

Abbott went for six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked one Mets hitter. After an abysmal start to the season, Abbott has reversed course and become a very valuable pitcher in the Reds’ starting rotation.

Cincinnati will host the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series starting Friday night at Great American Ballpark.

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