Mets Morning News: *bending but not breaking intensifies*

Meet the Mets

The Mets began an important three-game series last night against the Cincinnati Reds, one of the teams chasing New York in the wild card standings. The Amazins got off to a hot start, scoring three runs in the top of the first and adding extra runs in both the third and fourth innings—the former on a solo homer from Mark Vientos. However, the Mets then failed to score for the rest of the game, and the Reds got right back into it by scoring four runs off David Peterson to make it a one-run ballgame.

But then bullpen was up to the challenge, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings after Peterson was done. Of course, Edwin Díaz had to go and make things dramatic in the ninth by loading the bases with nobody out, but he retired the next three batters to secure the win for the Mets.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, MLB.com, NY Post, Daily News, Newsday, North Jersey

The Mets made a number of roster moves prior to yesterday’s game, including activating Francisco Alvarez from the injured list and optioning Kodai Senga to Syracuse.

The Mets and Senga were both on the same page with the idea of a temporary minor league demotion.

Pain is something that us mere mortals feel, unlike Francisco Alvarez.

Brandon Sproat will make his major league debut tomorrow and the Mets are expressing full confidence in him.

David Stearns expressed an openness to the idea of piggybacking some of their many starting pitching options as we approach the end of the season.

Around the National League East

The Phillies swatted four homers en route to an easy 9-3 victory over the Marlins.

Nick Castellanos continues to lose playing time with Philadelphia.

Chris Sale had an excellent start and the Braves scored three runs in the eighth inning to secure a 4-1 win over the Mariners.

Daylen Lile hit two triples against the Cubs, but that was about the only thing the Nationals had going for them in an 11-5 defeat to Chicago.

Around Major League Baseball

The Giants keep on rolling with an 8-2 win over the Cardinals to keep pace in the NL wild card race.

The Padres managed only three hits in a 3-0 loss to the Rockies and are now tied with the Mets for the second wild card spot.

Shohei Ohtani filled in admirably when Tyler Glasnow was scratched from his scheduled start, but the Dodgers still fell to the Orioles.

The Brewers are dealing with yet another bullpen injury after Nick Mears has been placed on the injured list with lower back tightness.

Speaking of bullpen injuries, the Tigers placed Kyle Finnegan on the injured list with a right abductor strain after he felt tightness warming up to face the Mets earlier this week.

Several of the teams in playoff position have been dealing with struggling bullpens in recent weeks.

Important journalism here: baseball players are drinking alcohol less these days.

MLB.com ranked the most exciting potential LCS matchups.