CINCINNATI — Jeff McNeil hit a tiebreaking single in the 11th inning, Kevin Pillar added a three-run homer and the New York Mets went deep seven times Monday night to pull out a wild 15-11 win over the slumping Cincinnati Reds.
Michael Conforto connected twice, including a solo shot that capped a five-run outburst in the 11th as the NL East leaders finally put this one away and handed Cincinnati its fourth straight loss to open the second half.
New York shook off a season-high four errors — all in the first two innings. Three were committed by shortstop Luis Guillorme, subbing for injured Francisco Lindor.
While manager Luis Rojas served the first game of his two-game suspension, James McCann, McNeil, Home Run Derby champ Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith also homered for New York in a game that lasted 4 hours, 45 minutes.
McCann came off the bench in the eighth to twice give the Mets leads that were coughed up by the bullpen.
Tyler Naquin drove in four runs for the Reds with five hits, including a tying single in the 10th.
All-Star outfielder Jesse Winker gave Cincinnati an 8-7 lead with a two-run double in the seventh before handing closer Edwin Díaz his third straight blown save and fourth this season with a tying double in the ninth.
Anthony Banda (1-0) was the winner in his Mets debut.
Alonso, who won his second consecutive Home Run Derby on July 12 at Coors Field in Denver, gave the Mets a quick 2-0 lead with his first homer of the second half just two batters into the game.
Guillorme’s error on a possible double-play ball opened the door for the Reds to grab a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the first. Naquin drove in two runs with a soft double down the left field line — the second straight day the Mets have given up multiple runs on a soft first inning hit.
Three Pirates scored on Sunday when New York pitcher Taijuan Walker knocked a barely fair ball into foul territory and nobody went to retrieve it. Rojas’ vehement argument earned an ejection and, from Major League Baseball on Monday, a two-game suspension and a fine.
Bench coach Dave Jauss served as acting manager Monday.
Cincinnati added four unearned runs in a second inning that included three more New York errors, two by Guillorme on one play. They helped shorten starter Jerad Eickhoff’s night. Only two of the seven runs he allowed were earned.
Vladimir Gutierrez gave up three home runs for the second time in his last four starts before leaving after four innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: RHP Corey Oswalt was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Oswalt went on the 10-day IL on July 6 with right knee inflammation.
Reds: OF Nick Senzel (left knee inflammation, surgery) could go on a rehab assignment as early as next week, manager David Bell said. Senzel hasn’t played since May 17.
UP NEXT
Mets: New York hadn’t determined its starting pitcher for Tuesday’s game.
Reds: LHP Wade Miley (7-4) turned in 8 1/3 shutout innings July 9 at Milwaukee in his last first-half start.
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