Hunter Greene Dominates Mets in MLB Debut of Brandon Sproat
CINCINNATI — In an exciting matchup on September 10, 2023, the Cincinnati Reds emerged victorious against the New York Mets, securing a 3-2 win. The game marked the Major League Baseball debut of Brandon Sproat, a highly touted pitching prospect. Despite his solid performance, it was Reds pitcher Hunter Greene who stole the spotlight, delivering a dominant outing that showcased his exceptional skills.
Greene’s performance was nothing short of stellar. He struck out 12 batters over seven innings, allowing only one hit and two walks. The right-hander consistently overwhelmed Mets hitters with a fastball that topped out at an impressive 101.5 MPH. Throughout the game, Greene maintained an average velocity of around 100 MPH, leading to 11 swinging strikes on his fastball alone. He began the game by striking out the first five batters he faced, establishing a commanding presence on the mound.
The Mets initially took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Brett Baty hit a slider over the right-field fence for a home run. This hit marked the only time the Mets managed to connect with Greene’s pitches effectively. Following that, Greene continued to dominate, striking out the next three batters after walking one in the fourth inning and another in the seventh.
While Greene’s performance was remarkable, Sproat’s debut also garnered attention. The 24-year-old right-hander, who played college baseball at the University of Florida, managed to carry a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Sproat faced challenges with his command, walking four batters during the outing. He allowed the Reds to tie the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning, conceding a run on a sacrifice fly.
Sproat’s bid for a no-hitter ended in the sixth when Noelvi Marte hit a single to right field. Following that, Elly De La Cruz doubled, giving the Reds a 2-1 lead, and a third consecutive hit by Austin Hays increased the lead to 3-1. Though Sproat finished with three hits, three earned runs, and seven strikeouts, he could not quite match Greene’s effectiveness.
The Mets attempted a late rally in the ninth inning, with Juan Soto hitting a home run. They had two runners on base with one out as they faced Reds reliever Tony Santillan. However, Starling Marte grounded into a game-ending double play, leaving the Mets with a disappointing record of 0-59 when trailing after eight innings.
This series marked a significant moment for both teams. The Reds improved their record to 72-71, taking the series 3-2 and gaining the tiebreaker over the Mets, who now stand at 76-67 in the National League Wild Card race. As the Mets prepare for their upcoming four-game road trip in Philadelphia, they face a challenging path ahead, currently trailing the Phillies by seven games in the NL East.
Overall, the game highlighted both the promise of young talent like Sproat and the established dominance of Greene, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the season.
