Mets Morning News: Mets beat Reds in Labor Day shutout

Meet the Mets

Bartolo Colon may be the oldest player in baseball, but he’s the healthiest pitcher on the Mets and proved just how invaluable he is once again by pitching six scoreless innings against the Reds as the Mets continued their winning ways.

On a day that the Mets rested several starters, Matt Reynolds and Kelly Johnson picked up the offensive slack and hit home runs to help propel the Mets to a 5-0 victory. The Mets are just one game back on the Cardinals and one-and-a-half games back of the Giants in the Wild Card race.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, NY Post, Daily News, MLB.com, ESPN, NJ.com, Bergen County Record, Newsday, New York Times, Faith and Fear in Flushing.

One not so sterling part of the game was Wilmer Flores’s performance on the basepaths. Flores was thrown out twice during the game while trying to stretch base hits.

Gavin Cecchini will join the Mets’ roster this week as Neil Walker is officially sent to the DL.

Jay Bruce was given a nice tribute by the Reds before Monday’s game, but he struggled at the plate.

Around the NL East

The Braves ended their winning streak with a loss to the Nationals.

The Marlins and Phillies battled, and the Phillies came out on top.

Around MLB

The Dodgers destroyed Zack Greinke upon his return to Los Angeles, lighting him up for five home runs.

Justin Upton is skipping batting practice, because he thinks it help keep him fresh for games. The tactic seems to be working.

Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker needed emergency surgery to stop his brain from bleeding after getting hit in the head by a ball on Sunday.

Astros righty Dallas Keuchel will miss at least two starts while having his shoulder examined.

Brian Dozier hit three home runs in one game for the Twins, and they still lost 11-5 to Kansas City.

Yesterday at AA

Matt Varvaro had another Monday Morning Mets Mind Boggler.

Aaron Yorke previewed the Mets/Red series.

Ketul Shah analyzed Steven Matz’s shoulder injury.

This Date in Mets History

Today is the birthday of Alex Escobar, once the Mets’ top prospect. He sadly never lived up to the hype during an injury-marred career.