Field Level Media
Aug 1, 2021
Max Schrock homered to highlight a 5-for-5 performance as the visiting Cincinnati Reds cruised to a 7-1 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds won the rubber match of the series for their seventh victory in the last 10 games.
The Mets have lost six of their last 10 games.
Schrock drew the start at first base with Joey Votto getting a day off following the end of his seven-game home run streak. Schrock hadn't started for the Reds since May 31, and had just one three-hit effort in his first 30 big league games.
Schrock wasted no time getting going on Sunday, when he singled for the Reds' first hit off Marcus Stroman (7-10) in the second inning before homering for the game's first run in the fourth.
Schrock legged out an infield single during Cincinnati's three-run sixth and scored when pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez coaxed a bases-loaded walk. He singled again in the seventh and added an RBI single in the ninth, when he later scored on Tyler Naquin's two-run double.
The big day lifted Schrock's batting average 90 points -- from .243 to .333.
The five-hit game was the third of the season by a Reds player. Naquin had five hits against the Mets on July 19 and Nick Castellanos collected five hits against the Chicago Cubs on May 2.
Kyle Farmer laced an RBI triple in the sixth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Stephenson. Naquin finished with two hits.
Gutierrez (6-3) allowed one run on three hits while working seven innings for the second time in 12 big league starts. The rookie didn't allow a hit until Kevin Pillar singled with two outs in the fifth inning.
Jeff McNeil homered in the sixth inning for the Mets.
Stroman allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over 5 2/3 innings.
--Field Level Media