Mets at Reds
The New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds have split the first two of their three-game set, but managed to conduct some business off the field that could fill a need for each team. The Mets traded pitcher Matt Harvey to the Reds in exchange for catcher Devin Mesoraco, who could start for visiting New York in Wednesday afternoon's rubber match.
Cincinnati entered Tuesday's game with a major league-worst 5.32 ERA so it was willing to gamble on Harvey, who was demoted to the bullpen and designated for assignment last weekend. Eugenio Suarez is 5-for-8 in the series and knocked in four runs in Tuesday's 7-2 victory as the Reds snapped a three-game skid and improved to 2-6 on their nine-game homestand. The Mets, who have lost seven of eight, needed help behind the plate with Travis d’Arnaud out for the season and Kevin Plawecki (broken hand) sidelined and hope 2014 All-Star Mesoraco can stay healthy. “I think that brings a little more consistency to the position,” New York special assistant J.P. Ricciardi said. "Since we lost the two guys, we have probably lacked a little of that, so I think he will help us in that area.”
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-2, 5.79 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (2-3, 4.21)
Wheeler is coming off a woeful performance in a home loss to Colorado, giving up five runs before his teammates even batted, and wound up charged with eight runs on 10 hits in six-plus innings. He struck out nine and allowed two runs over five innings in winning his previous turn at San Diego. Wheeler faced the Reds once in his career, tossing six innings of one-run ball at Great American Ball Park.
Although he rarely pitches deep into games, Romano turned in another solid effort by limiting Miami to one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings to earn the victory last time out. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in his last four turns but has surrendered seven homers in as many starts, including one in each of the last five. Romano has made two starts against the Mets, going 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett has homered and collected two RBIs in each of the first two games of the series.
2. The Mets put 3B Todd Frazier (hamstring) on the 10-day disabled list and RHP Hansel Robles had his knee X-rayed after Tuesday's game.
3. The Reds called up C Tony Cruz from Triple-A Louisville to replace Mesoraco, who struck out as a pinch hitter Tuesday.