Mets Bounce Back Against Reds

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

June 17, 2026

After losing their last two and in need of a bounce back, the New York Mets responded by downing the Cincinnati Reds 9-1. On Wednesday afternoon at Great America Ballpark, righty Nolan McLean tossed nine strikeouts in seven innings. In a much improved performance, he only gave up three hits and one run. Juan Soto led the lineup with three hits and two RBI. Mark Vientos and A.J. Ewing also recorded two RBI, while Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette each drove in a run.

Mets Bounce Back

After going scoreless through the first two innings, Luis Torrens singled in the third. A Carson Benge groundout moved Torrens to third, as Bichette reached on a walk. Soto lined an RBI single to score Torrens. Moments later, Semien batted an RBI single of his own to score Bichette. Vientos capped off the inning by scoring Soto on an RBI single. Their efforts gave the Mets a three-run lead.

But their momentum was temporarily halted when Viento’s fielding error allowed Jose Trevino to reach first. Matt McLain then doubled off McLean, who also hit Edwin Arroyo with a pitch. JJ Bleday scored Trevino on a sacrifice fly that nearly got down. But a miraculous catch from Ewing prevented another run from scoring.

Following a hitless fourth, Bichette lined a single in the fifth. Soto and Semien singled as well before Vientos scored Bichette on a sacrifice fly. Francisco Alvarez plated Soto with an RBI single. Ewing then smacked an RBI double to bring Semien and Alvarez home. The six-hit and three-run sequence increased the Mets’ lead to six.

Sealing the Win

With his team in front, McLean struck out Arroyo to start the sixth. He then walked Bleday and gave up a double to Nathaniel Lowe. Still, the Reds were unable to score with runners on. McLean escaped the frame before earning two strikeouts to start the seventh. He gave up his third hit, but struck out McLain to end the inning.

Carson Benge drilled a triple to deep center field in the eighth. Bichette plated Benge with an RBI single. Soto swatted an RBI double to bring Bichette home. This further increased the Mets’ lead to eight runs.

Brooks Raley replaced McLean in the eighth and gave up a double. But he managed to end the frame without allowing a run to score. Alex Warren faced similar challenges in the ninth, giving up a double as well. He also walked McLain, but managed to seal the Mets’ eight-run victory.

What Went Right For The Mets

In a much-needed bounce-back win, McLean punched out nine batters and went seven innings. Giving up three hits and a run gives him a 3.67 ERA for the season. This was an efficient outing compared to his previous two, in which he gave up six hits and three earned runs. Nevertheless, the righty holds a 4-4 record on the season.

Soto batted in two runs on three hits. Vientos and Ewing combined to score four runs and two hits. Bichette plated three hits and a run, while Semeim recorded two hits and a run. Alvarez collected three hits and an RBI. In total, the Mets recorded 14 hits and nine RBI against the Reds.

What Went Wrong For The Mets

Raley and Warren gave up hits in the final two innings. Vientos was charged with another throwing error, which led to the Reds scoring their only run. Yet all three were able to overcome their mistakes to help the Mets close out the bounce-back victory.

Looking Ahead

The Mets will continue their road trip with a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Sean Manaea (1-2, 4.78 ERA) will take the mound against Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.86 ERA). The series begins at Citizens Bank Park at 6:40 pm on Thursday.