Reds' miscue helps Mets knock off Cincy in extra innings

Baseball Betting Lines

07/20/2008 - Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Robinson Cancel scored the go-ahead run on Edwin Encarnacion's throwing error in the top of the 10th inning and the New York Mets bested the Cincinnati Reds, 7-5, to salvage a split of a four- game set at Great American Ball Park.

New York starter Mike Pelfrey went seven innings and allowed five runs on six hits before giving way to Dauner Sanchez (5-1), who tossed two scoreless frames to pick up the victory. Billy Wagner struck out the side in the 10th to collect his 24th save.

Jose Reyes finished 4-for-6 with a triple and three runs scored for the Mets, who are 13-4 in the month of July. Carlos Delgado was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in, while Ramon Castro belted a two-run homer.

With the win, New York tied the Philadelphia Phillies -- who lost at Florida, 3-2, in 11 innings -- atop the NL East standings.

Edinson Volquez lasted only five innings for the Reds, giving up four runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts in a no-decision. Bill Bray (2-1) surrendered two unearned runs in the 10th to take the loss.

Adam Dunn, Brandon Phillips and Encarnacion each had a solo home run for Cincinnati, which has lost three of its last five.

In the top of the 10th and the score deadlocked at five, Cancel came on as a pinch-hitter and smacked a lead-off double to left-center. Cancel then advanced to third when Jose Reyes reached first on a bunt single. Argenis Reyes followed with a dribbler to Encarnacion, whose throw eluded the second baseman Phillips, permitting Cancel to score the go-ahead run.

After David Wright was intentionally walked to load the bases, Carlos Beltran went down swinging. Delgado then added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly before Gary Majewski took over on the mound and fanned Fernando Tatis to end the inning.

Wagner struck out Paul Bako, Javier Valentin and Jay Bruce in the bottom half to close out the game.

The Mets got on the board in the opening frame. Jose Reyes singled to begin the contest, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Argenis Reyes lined out, Jose Reyes swiped third when Wright stared at ball four and scored on Beltran's RBI single. Delgado followed with a single to load the bases, but Volquez retired Marlon Anderson and Castro to avoid further damage.

Cincinnati tied the game in the bottom of the second when Dunn led off with his 28th home run of the season, a rocket tight to the line in right. Dunn's blast snapped Pelfrey's career-high scoreless streak at 17 innings. Pelfrey hadn't allowed a run since the sixth inning on July 3 at St. Louis.

New York regained the lead in the top of the third when Delgado doubled and Castro deposited a 2-2 offering from Volquez in the left-field bleachers.

With one away in the fourth, the speedy Jose Reyes ripped a record-setting triple to right and later scored on Wright's sacrifice fly for a 4-1 lead. It was the 63rd triple of his career and moved him ahead of Mookie Wilson for sole possession of first place in franchise history.

The Reds countered with three runs in their half of the fourth. Phillips followed a ground-rule double from Ken Griffey Jr. with an a run-scoring single. Phillips then stole second, took third when Castro's throw went into the outfield and trotted home on a Dunn sac fly. Encarnacion then tied the game at four with a blast to the seats in left.

Cincinnati grabbed its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth on Phillips' one-out shot to the upper deck in left, but New York evened the score in the next frame on an RBI single from Delgado.

Francisco Cordero started the ninth inning for the Reds and Beltran greeted him with a single. Beltran then stole second and, after Delgado popped out, Tatis worked a walk. With Castro batting, Beltran was thrown out trying to steal third. The base running blunder proved costly as Castro dropped a single into right to put men on the corners. Endy Chavez grounded out to end the inning.

Game Notes

The Mets left 14 runners on base, while Cincinnati stranded just two...Pelfrey had won six consecutive starts. He still has not lost since May 26 against Florida, a span of 10 outings...Jose Reyes now has 33 stolen bases on the season...With 266 career homers, Dunn holds the franchise record for a left- handed batter.