Mets hold off Reds’ comeback attempt

Pete Alonso drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded grounder and Jeff McNeil homered to lead the visiting New York Mets to a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.Alonso, who hit a game-tying solo homer in Thursday’s second game of a doubleheader, came up against Fernando Cruz (0-1) with the bases loaded. He hit a chopper that Elly De La Cruz didn’t handle cleanly, allowing Harrison Bader to score in the seventh.Drew Smith (1-0) worked his way out of a jam in the sixth inning to earn the win.Jonathan India reached to open the ninth on a fielding error by Mets closer Edwin Diaz. Spencer Steer then worked a walk. Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a chopper up the middle that Francisco Lindor tried to turn into a double play but was late stepping on the bag at second but got Encarnacion-Strand at first.After a sacrifice fly by Jeimer Candelario that scored India, Diaz struck out Jake Fraley to end the game for his first save in his first chance this season.It was a game of missed opportunities for the Reds, who stranded 12 runners on base and went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.The Reds left the bases loaded twice, including in the seventh when De La Cruz looked at three strikes against lefty reliever Brooks Raley.Cincinnati starter Hunter Greene hit Lindor, the first batter of the game, with his second pitch before allowing a two-out flare to Brett Baty, just inside the third-base bag.Starling Marte struck out looking as Greene worked his way out of trouble.

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