Michael Conforto's three-run home run came early and made the difference in the game, as the Mets defeated the Reds by a final score of 6-3 on Sunday. >> Box score
Six Takeaways from Sunday's game
1) The Mets did the majority of their damage in the first inning of Sunday's game and it proved to be enough offensive firepower for the victory. Robinson Cano knocked in Pete Alonso with an RBI double before Conforto delievered the game's big blow, a three-run homer off of Trevor Bauer to give the Mets a 4-0 lead. Conforto blasted a Trevor Bauer fastball deep into the seats in right for his 31st home run of the year.
2) Alonso made a bit of history of his own in the first inning on his double, as he became the first rookie in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and 30 doubles in the same season. He trails Aaron Judge's rookie record of 52 home runs by two with seven games remaining in the season.
3) Marcus Stroman looked like he was cruising through four innings, having allowed just one run and entering the fifth having retired 11 straight Reds hitters. He even retired the first two hitters of the fifth and faced Kyle Farmer with two outs and nobody on with the Mets leading, 4-1. Farmer homered, then Stroman walked the next three hitters to load the bases, forcing Mickey Callaway to turn to Brad Brach to get out of the jam. He did just that, as he got Eugenio Suarez to pop up to end the inning and keep it a 4-2 game.
4) J.D. Davis helped the Mets regain their three-run lead in the sixth, ripping a solo home run off of Bauer to make it 5-2 Mets. Davis had come into the game to replace Robinson Cano, who was hit by a pitch on the left big toe in the third inning and came out of the game in the fourth (X-rays on the toe came back negative). The home run gave Davis 20 dingers on the season, making him the fifth Met this season to reach that mark, setting a franchise record.
5) Edwin Diaz got the ball for the seventh inning and had the quintessential appearance from a electric, yet erratic reliever. He walked two hitters, but also struck out three, for a scoreless inning.
6) Brandon Nimmo laced a solo home run to right for his eighth of the season to extend the Mets lead to three, making it a 6-3 ballgame. Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless ninth inning to seal the win for the Mets.
Highlights
Video: WATCH: Michael Conforto hits a 3-run bomb
Video: WATCH: J.D. Davis smacks a solo HR
What's next
The Mets return home to begin with final week of the regular season with a four-game series against the Marlins beginning Monday at 7:10 p.m. Steven Matz (10-9, 4.16 ERA) is set to get the ball for the Mets while the Marlins have yet to name a starting pitcher.