FanNation

The Mets were riding high after their rally on Thursday night, but I'm not pleased to report that they finally lost to the Reds yesterday, 5-2. Although I knew a loss was inevitable, it still sucks that they had to lose. Especially on a day that Philly won (Philly now leads the NL East by 1 game over the Mets).

Starting pitching was what carried them through this streak, but in these first two games, it hasn't been as great. They were able to overcome Johan Santana's woes on Thursday, but not John Maine's last night.

Maine went 4 2/3, and gave up 5 hits, walks and earned runs. He also struck out 5. This was a second consecutive disappointing start for Maine, and the Mets are hoping that he will rebound in his next start.

The scoring started in the 3rd when Jay Bruce hit his 7th homer off the barrel of the bat to make it 1-0. The scrappy Mets responded in the next half inning when Carlos Beltran doubled in Marlon Anderson, and Damion Easley brought home David Wright with an RBI groundout.

But the Reds took the lead for good in a horrendous inning for John Maine in the 5th. After a missed play by David Wright at third (which was called an infield hit for Jeff Keppinger) the bases were loaded for Ken Griffey Jr. Jr. than walked, which forced in Paul Bako to tie the score at 2-2. Brandon Phillips than hit a bloop which fell in shallow right field, and brought home Jeff Keppinger and Jay Bruce. Than, after an intentional pass to Adam Dunn with 2 men on, Edwin Encarnacion was hit by a pitch on the hand, and the Reds went up 5-2.

The Mets were poised to come back in the top of the 7th when Carlos Beltran hit a leadoff triple, but failed to score after Fernando Tatis grounded into a double play with runners on the corners and 1 out.

The loss was unfortunate, but I don't understand how they could've won after the staff gave up 9 walks. Scott Schoeneweiss, Joe Smith and Aaron Heliman did combine for 4 1/3 scoreless, though.

Player of the Game: Jay Bruce. His stats from the game: 2-4 with a homer, 1 RBI, a walks and 2 runs.

Jay Bruce jogs around the diamond after his 7th homer of the season in the bottom of the 3rd to put the Reds up 1-0.