NEW YORK — Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a two-run homer and the Cincinnati Reds held off the New York Mets 3-2 on Saturday night to earn another important victory in the race for the last National League wild card.
Four relievers combined to throw 5 1/3 scoreless innings for the Reds. With two runners aboard, Derek Law retired Mets slugger Pete Alonso on a game-ending grounder. Law was filling in for All-Star closer Alexis Díaz, who got the final five outs of Friday night's 5-3 win.
Cincinnati's bullpen has delivered at least 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a game six times this season — including twice this week.