Santiago Espinal hit a two-run double in the ninth inning to give the Cincinnati Reds a 3-1 win and end the New York Mets’ nine-game winning streak on Sunday.
Shortly after the Mets’ loss, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3, tying with New York for the last National League playoff spot. Both teams have 19 games remaining, including a series at Truist Park from September 24-26.
The Mets have the best record in the majors with a 56-32 mark since May 30. Their nine-game winning streak was their longest since a similar streak in April 2018.
“I think for us right now, we’re not worrying about who’s winning, who’s losing,” Mets pitcher Luis Severino said after pitching 6 2/3 strong innings. “Right now we just need to win series.
Even when we were not even in the talk of being in the playoffs, we were just trying to win games. And if we continue to do that, if we continue to focus on our team, not worry about what the other teams are doing, I think we’re going to do good.”
Phil Maton (2-3) started the ninth inning by hitting Spencer Steer with a pitch. Ty France then reached base with an infield single. Both runners advanced a base on Jake Fraley’s groundout, setting the stage for Espinal’s hit down the left-field line.
“I feel like the pressure’s on the pitcher — I don’t put pressure on myself,” Espinal said. “I just go out there, try to put the ball in play.”
This two-run rally ended an 80-inning streak during which the Mets had not trailed, the longest streak in the majors this season.
“Streaks have to come to an end, but we’ve been playing really good baseball,” said Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo, whose potential two-run homer just missed in the third inning.
