The Mets' return from the All-Star break provided plenty of hoopla, but the three-game set against the Reds at Citi Field was not as celebratory.

Back-to-back wins by the Cincinnati Reds over the New York Mets out of the All-Star break pushed the Reds' to a high-water, mark of 5 games over .500.

In the ninth inning with two runners on base, Juan Soto hit a would be game-tying home run, but the ball hooked just foul and Reds closer Emilio Pagan lived to fight another day. He got Soto to strike out swinging later in the at-bat.