Mets lose to Reds again as both teams’ rookies leave their marks

Rookies for the Mets and Reds made their marks throughout Saturday night’s game, but it was a Cincinnati youngster who delivered the decisive blow.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s two-run home run against Mets starter Tylor Megill proved to be the game-winner in the Reds’ 3-2 victory at Citi Field.

The 23-year-old’s fourth-inning blast broke a 1-1 tie and spoiled an otherwise gritty performance by Megill, who entered the outing with a 2.20 ERA over his previous three starts.

The right-hander wasn’t as sharp Saturday, allowing 11 baserunners over 5.2 innings, but he didn’t allow any earned runs beyond Encarnacion-Strand’s shot.

“Didn’t have the greatest stuff today but was able to maneuver, make quality pitches, let the defense work and not let it snowball where past times before it would,” said Megill, who took the loss to fall to 8-8.

Encarnacion-Strand was far from the only rookie to have a big night. Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz, the 21-year-old highlight machine who made his MLB debut in June, went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in his first-ever game against the Mets.

For the Mets, 22-year-old Ronny Mauricio continued the strong start to his MLB career with two more hits, including a first-inning RBI single that gave his team a short-lived 1-0 lead. Mauricio is now batting .302 since making his MLB debut Sept. 1. Saturday marked the fourth multi-hit performance of his 12-game career.

Francisco Alvarez, the Mets’ 21-year-old catcher, contributed an RBI double in the fourth inning, then extended a Mets rally attempt with a two-out single in the ninth. The next batter, Pete Alonso, grounded into a force out with the tying run at second base to end the game.

Alvarez also made a throwing error in the second inning when his pickoff attempt sailed past Mauricio at third base, allowing Encarnacion-Strand to score the Reds’ first run. Saturday was the second time Mauricio, a natural shortstop who has primarily played second base with the Mets, started at third.

“I talked to [Mauricio] two or three times about different situations, trying to remind him that at third base, the ball gets to you faster,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said.

MLB Pipeline ranked Alvarez and De La Cruz among its top 10 prospects before the 2023 season. Encarnacion-Strand and Mauricio were both considered top 100 prospects before their second-half call-ups.

“It’s big for them,” Showalter said of the rookies. “Cincinnati obviously is trying to contribute to getting into the playoffs, and our guys are continuing to try to build trust from everybody. That’s really what you’re trying to do: establish trust in people. Know what you’re going to bring.”

Another touted rookie, 24-year-old pitcher Andrew Abbott, started Saturday for Cincinnati. The Mets got to him for two runs over 3.2 innings, but they failed to score against four Reds relievers over the final 5.1 frames.

The Reds (78-72), who entered Saturday tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final NL Wild Card spot, also won Friday’s game against the Mets, with 2021 Rookie of the Year Jonathan India hitting a game-winning homer.

The Mets (68-80) will attempt to avoid a three-game sweep Sunday afternoon, with left-hander Jose Quintana (2-5, 3.05 ERA) set to pitch against Reds lefty Brandon Williamson (4-4, 4.47 ERA).