Espinal"s late double lifts Reds over Mets in 3-1 win

In a tightly contested game on Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds triumphed over the New York Mets with a score of 3-1. The pivotal moment came in the ninth inning when Santiago Espinal hit a tie-breaking two-run double, propelling the Reds to victory. This win was particularly significant as it ended the Mets' impressive nine-game winning streak, which had been the longest in the majors this season. The Mets had not trailed in 80 innings, a streak that was abruptly halted by the Reds' late-game rally. The game saw the Mets initially take the lead in the sixth inning with a run-scoring single from Starling Marte. However, the Reds' rookie pitcher Julian Aguiar delivered a strong performance, allowing only two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Mets' pitcher Luis Severino had a solid outing, giving up just one run on five hits while striking out eight batters in 6 2/3 innings. The outcome of this game has implications for the playoff race, as the Mets were vying for a position in the postseason. They began the day a game ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the final National League playoff spot. Following this loss, the Mets will need to regroup as they embark on a six-game road trip. In addition to the game’s outcome, the Mets faced injury challenges, with Jeff McNeil placed on the injured list due to a fractured wrist. The Reds, on the other hand, are set to continue their road trip, looking to build on this momentum.