Mets Desperately Need Rookie Starter To Figure Out Command Issues Against Reds

After generating some momentum with a series win over the Atlanta Braves, which are in first place of the National League East, the New York Mets have lost two straight to the Cincinnati Reds and have been outscored 17-3 in the series so far.

The Mets were blown out 12-0 in the opener of the three-game set before dropping last night’s game 5-3 after allowing a four-spot in the first inning. Reds rookie corner infielder Sal Stewart drilled a three-run home run to left field, taking advantage of two walks to start the game, followed by a Spencer Steer solo shot with two outs.

Mets infielder Bo Bichette stayed hot and delivered an RBI single in the third inning to get New York on the scoreboard, but Stewart drove in a run with a single of his own in the fifth to offset Bichette’s work.

First baseman Mark Vientos hasn’t been starting, but manager Carlos Mendoza has brought him in off the bench and it has paid off in back-to-back games, as he hit a two-run bomb to cut the deficit to 5-3 in the sixth.

Mets right-hander Kodai Senga didn’t have a great return from the injured list, as he pitched just four innings and allowed four runs on two hits and four walks while striking out five. His ERA was 9.00 entering the start and it stayed the same.

Reds right-hander Brady Singer was solid, pitching five innings of one-run ball on three hits and three walks with five punchouts.

The Mets desperately need to avoid the sweep with a win in the finale, and it will be up to rookie righty Nolan McLean to be a stopper against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo, who hasn’t been good this season in limited innings.

McLean is 3-4 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 88 strikeouts to 31 walks through 14 starts (76.1 innings). The 24-year-old had a great start to the season but has since struggled with command and has walked far too many batters over his last several starts.

McLean last pitched against the Braves, and although the Mets won the game, he lasted just four innings after allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while fanning six. McLean is averaging four walks per start over his last three outings and he will look to end that trend against the following Reds lineup:

1. Edwin Arroyo (2B)

2. JJ Bleday (LF)

3. Stewart (3B)

4. Nathaniel Lowe (1B)

5. Eugenio Suarez (DH)

6. Steer (RF)

7. Noelvi Marte (CF)

8. Jose Trevino (C)

9. Matt McLain (SS)

Lodolo spent a chunk of the season on the injured list with a chronic left index finger blister, so he has made just seven starts. He is 2-1 with a 5.21 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 30 strikeouts to 15 walks over 38 innings of work.

Lodolo last threw against the Arizona Diamondbacks and pitched well, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings. The 28-year-old lefty will face the following Mets lineup:

1. Carson Benge (RF)

2. Bichette (3B)

3. Juan Soto (LF)

4. Marcus Semien (2B)

5. Vientos (1B)

6. Francisco Alvarez (DH)

7. A.J. Ewing (CF)

8. Luis Torrens (C)

9. Zack Short (SS)

First pitch is at 12:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.