Jake Fraley powers the Reds past the Mets 5-2 on July 19, 2025. With clutch hitting from Matt McLain, Cincinnati evens the series in a gritty road win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Cincinnati Reds are playing with a swagger that's becoming their trademark, and it was on full display Saturday night in Queens. After a tough series opener, the Reds battled back to take down the New York Mets 5-2, evening the series and reminding everyone just how resilient this team can be. Led by a fantastic all-around performance from Jake Fraley and timely hitting from Matt McLain, the Reds manufactured runs, pitched tough, and set the stage for a pivotal rubber match on Sunday.
Jake Fraley was the engine for the Reds' offense, finishing 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored in the win.
It was a classic Reds victory, built on grit and capitalizing on opportunities. The action heated up in the third inning when Jake Fraley, already on third, cleverly baited a pickoff throw and scampered home on the error to get the Reds on the board. Shortly after, Matt McLain delivered a clutch, game-tying RBI single to make it 2-2. But Fraley wasn't done. He added a go-ahead RBI double and an insurance-run single later in the game, proving to be the Mets' biggest nightmare. While starter Nick Martinez battled through five innings, giving up just two runs, the real story was the bullpen. Four different relievers combined for four perfect, scoreless innings to shut down any hope of a Mets comeback. It was a lockdown performance that secured the 51st win of the season.
While the big-league club was getting it done in New York, the front office was busy securing the future. The Reds' 2025 draft class is officially in the books, and the theme is clear: athleticism. First-round pick Steele Hall, a shortstop out of Alabama, is being hailed as one of the most dynamic athletes in the entire draft. He's joined by polished prep arm Aaron Watson and fourth-round slugger Mason Neville, who exploded at Oregon with 26 homers this season. With 12 pitchers selected out of 20 picks, the organization is clearly focused on stocking the system with high-upside talent to keep the winning window open for years to come.
The talent infusion doesn't stop with the draft. Down on the farm, the next crop of Reds is already making noise. In Friday's action, top prospects continued to impress. Shortstop Edwin Arroyo showcased his speed, swiping a base while getting on base. Leo Balcazar had a three-hit night, and former first-rounder Austin Hendrick reached base three times with a couple of hits and a walk. Seeing these key players develop and succeed provides even more excitement for the future and demonstrates the impressive depth the Reds are building throughout the organization.
With the series now tied, the Reds have a golden opportunity to take a crucial road series from a tough Mets team. This win wasn't just a win; it was a statement. It showed the team's fight, the bullpen's strength, and the clutch hitting that defines them. As the future continues to look bright with a stacked farm system, the present is what matters most. All eyes are on Sunday's finale at Citi Field to see if the Reds can carry this momentum forward and head home with another series victory under their belt.
