Jose Quintana secured his 100th career win with 6 2/3 strong innings as the New York Mets extended their longest winning streak in over six years with a 4-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
Harrison Bader, who had been struggling, hit a home run to ignite a four-run sixth inning for the Mets. This win marks their ninth consecutive victory, their first nine-game streak since April 2018.
“I didn’t realize it was nine straight — that’s awesome,” Bader said. “I think that’s kind of where we’re at, just so zoomed in and just so focused. Once it’s done, it’s on to the next.”
With this win, New York moved ahead of Atlanta for the final NL playoff spot and is just a half-game behind Arizona for the second wild card. The Mets haven’t trailed in their last 72 innings, the longest such streak in the majors this season.
Bader, who had struggled with a 0-for-15 and 2-for-43 slump, hit his 11th home run of the year off Sam Moll (3-2) in the sixth inning. It was his first home run to the opposite field.
Bader celebrated by extending his arms wide and pointing toward right field as he rounded the bases.
“Obviously, it’s been a tough sample size here for me individually,” Bader said.
“I think it was certainly a second of just relief, because at the end of the day, it just comes down to just wanting to produce so intently for your team, you know what I mean? Especially what we’ve got going on here, with playing meaningful baseball in September.”
Pete Alonso added a one-out RBI single, and J.D. Martinez hit a two-run double with two outs. During the winning streak, New York has outscored their opponents 44-16.
Francisco Lindor’s career-high 16-game hitting streak ended as he went 0 for 3, but his walk in the sixth inning extended his on-base streak to 35 games, the longest active streak in the majors and the longest single-season streak in Mets history.
Quintana (8-9) gave up five hits and struck out six, becoming the 19th active pitcher to reach 100 wins.
“Nowadays, where guys are coming out and throwing as hard as they can and spinning as hard as they can, this guy’s pitching,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s got to locate, he’s got to mix pitches, he’s got to change speeds — old-school type, if you want to call it, and he continues to do it.”
