The Mets' return from the All-Star break provided plenty of hoopla, but the three-game set against the Reds at Citi Field was not as celebratory.

The last time the Cincinnati Reds won a playoff series, Barry Larkin and Bret Boone were the middle infielders, and Jeff Brantley was closing games.

In the ninth inning with two runners on base, Juan Soto hit a would be game-tying home run, but the ball hooked just foul and Reds closer Emilio Pagan lived to fight another day. He got Soto to strike out swinging later in the at-bat.