Reds 5, Mets 4: Most Heartbreaking Loss Imaginable For A Sub-.500 Team In Game 161

The season is a real marathon, and for those of us who are here just about every day it gets to a point where you kind of look toward the end and you get excited about it being over. Then the end comes and you get a little sad, a little nostalgic. It's like 'wait a second, what am I gonna do tomorrow?'

-- Gary Cohen

The Mets drew four walks in the bottom of the thirteenth inning, induced a balk by a completely lost Francisco Cordero and managed to score exactly zero runs. Nick Evans was caught stealing after leading off with a walk, as part of an ill-conceived hit-and-run attempt with Josh Thole at the plate, and Justin Turner lined into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded several batters later. And this was after our heroes were one strike away from victory in the top of the ninth inning before Bobby Parnell blew a save attempt. Jose Reyes's 3-for-6, 2 home run night went to waste. Oh, and the decisive Reds run was scored on a suicide squeeze likely called for by anti-intellectual tradition-worshipper Dusty Baker. Barf of a night.

This can't be Reyes's final night game as a New York Met. It can't be. On a night when most eyes were on the Rays, Red Sox, Braves and Cardinals, Reyes put on a show for the loyal Mets faithful. In addition to the bomb home runs, he made what looked like a game-saving diving play in the eighth inning to notch the third out and prevent the tying run. Reyes gave a subdued curtain call after his second dinger, which I am interpreting as a sign that he has unfinished business in Flushing.

Chris Capuano did Chris Capuano things in his final start of the season, throwing six innings with nine strikeouts and one walk while allowing two home runs. That's the Capuano I will remember from 2011 -- about six innings per start with a bunch of strikeouts, few walks and a homer or two allowed. Not bad for a guy who cost $1.5 million plus incentives this season. Bronson Arroyo was Cap's Reds counterpart, and he slopped his way through eight serviceable innings. He allowed both of the Reyes home runs but also struck out six while walking just one. Five Reds relievers each tossed a scoreless inning, as the Mets had just one hit from innings nine through thirteen. Dale Thayer allowed the decisive suicide squeeze, which was executed by Drew Stubbs with Juan Francisco charging home from third base.

Game 162 is Wednesday. This is it -- don't get scared now. Miguel Batista faces Edinson Volquez at 1:10 PM.

SB Nation Coverage

* Traditional Recap
* Boxscore
* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* Red Reporter Gamethread

Win Probability Added

Big winners: Ryota Igarashi +30.7%, Jose Reyes +30.0%
Big losers: Justin Turner -53.0%, Dale Thayer -32.5%
Teh aw3s0mest play: Jason Pridie walk in thirteenth inning +20.7%
Teh sux0rest play: Justin Turner lineout double play to end the game -51.8%
Total pitcher WPA: -7.3%
Total batter WPA: -42.7%
GWRBI!: Drew Stubbs

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; her effort in the game thread embiggens us all.