Among the oddities in the Mets’ post-clinch lineup Sunday were seven bench players, including out-of-position veterans Kelly Johnson at shortstop and Anthony Recker at first base. For the postseason-bound Mets, it hardly mattered. Their replacement team steamrolled Cincinnati, 8-1, sending the Reds to their eighth straight loss and capping a perfect 7-0 record against them this season.
The win also allowed the Mets to increase their lead over the Dodgers in the race for home-field advantage in the National League Division Series to 1 1/2 games.
“They’re feeling it. There is blood in the water right now,” Reds manager Bryan Price said of the Mets, who are a combined 28-2 against the NL’s three last-place teams. “They’ve already got their playoff spot. They’re facing a team that’s scuffling, one that’s having a hard time having a chance getting a lead. Even with more of their bench players in the game, they’re just riding their high and we’re stuck in a low.”
Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom sailed through six innings of one-run ball while striking out nine. His outing came in stark contrast to that of Reds starter Keyvius Sampson, who gave up five runs — three earned — and could not escape the third inning.
With David Wright, Daniel Murphy and company watching from the dugout bench, a few steps from where they celebrated on Saturday, Dilson Herrera did the most damage with a two-run homer and a 3-for-4 day. Kevin Plawecki also homered, Michael Conforto added an RBI double and even deGrom had his fun, singling home two runs to chase Sampson from the game.
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