Mets Stumble Again, Nolan McLean Struggles in 7-2 Loss to Reds

The New York Mets faced another disappointing defeat on Memorial Day, succumbing to the Cincinnati Reds with a final score of 7-2. This marks the Mets’ fourth consecutive loss, raising concerns about their performance as the season progresses.

Nolan McLean started strong, striking out the side in the first inning, but his momentum quickly faded. The right-hander struggled throughout the game, ultimately allowing seven runs on five hits, including two home runs, while striking out six over 78 pitches before being pulled in the fourth inning. His season ERA has now climbed to 4.40, following a troubling stretch where he has surrendered 13 earned runs over just two outings.

McLean’s troubles began early when he hit Sal Stewart with a changeup in the second inning, which led to a bases-loaded situation. A forceout allowed the Reds to take a 1-0 lead, and a wild pitch from McLean extended their advantage to 2-0. The righty nearly escaped the third inning unscathed, but a solo home run by JJ Bleday with two outs pushed the score to 3-0. The fourth inning proved disastrous for McLean, as he allowed two more runs, culminating in a two-run homer from Tyler Stephenson that extended Cincinnati’s lead to 7-0.

Despite the significant deficit, the Mets’ offense continued to falter, failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Carson Benge was stranded on second base in the second inning, and Mark Vientos grounded out to end the third with runners on the corners. The Mets found themselves in a similar position in the fifth but were unable to convert, as Vientos struck out on a pitch that inadvertently struck him. In total, New York left eight runners on base and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Relief pitcher Austin Warren stepped up to clean up McLean’s mess, securing the final two outs of the fourth and tossing a scoreless fifth inning. Jonathan Pintaro followed suit, retiring six consecutive batters through the seventh inning, showcasing a brief glimmer of hope for Mets fans.

In the sixth inning, Marcus Semien finally put the Mets on the board with a solo home run, narrowing the gap to 7-1. Brett Baty added another run in the seventh, scoring on Benge’s groundout after leading off the inning with a double, bringing the score to 7-2.

In a concerning moment, Tyrone Taylor appeared to injure his right leg while running out a grounder in the sixth. He was replaced by MJ Melendez in left field, with Nick Morabito shifting to right. The team later reported that Taylor left the game due to right hip pain.

Bo Bichette had a standout performance for the Mets, collecting three hits in four at-bats. On the mound, the Reds’ left-hander kept the Mets’ bats at bay, pitching six strong innings while allowing just one run on six hits and striking out seven without issuing any walks.

The Mets will look to turn things around as they continue their three-game series against the Reds on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY. New York has yet to announce a starting pitcher for the matchup, while Cincinnati will send developing star Chase Burns (6-1, 1.83 ERA) to the mound.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.