Reyes’ Cycle Isn’t Enough for the Mets

Brandon Phillips hit a two-out, two-run single off Billy Wagner in the ninth inning to help the Cincinnati Reds overcome Jose Reyes’ cycle in a 6-5 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.

Wagner retired the first two batters easily but walked Austin Kearns and pinch-hitter David Ross. Pinch-hitter Rich Aurilia reached on an infield single to third and Phillips followed with a sharp single to center. Kearns and pinch-runner Quinton McCracken scored to put the Reds in front, 6-5. Wagner (3-1) blew his fourth save in 18 opportunities.

Jason Standridge (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win and Todd Coffey worked the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.

Reyes hit his fourth career leadoff homer to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The shortstop doubled in the second, tripled into right-center in the fifth and grounded a single into center field in the eighth.

The Shea Stadium crowd cheered as Reyes stood on first and the scoreboard in right-center recognized the accomplishment.

The last player to hit for the cycle for the Mets was Eric Valent, who did it on July 29, 2004, in New York’s 10-1 win over the Montreal Expos.

Reyes went four for five and is batting .489 (23 for 47) over his last 11 games.

Ken Griffey Jr. drove in three runs and Joe Mays pitched six innings in his first start in the National League for the Reds.

Cincinnati led, 4-2, in the seventh before the Mets pushed across three runs against Chris Hammond. David Wright singled in Carlos Beltran with two outs and Jose Valentin hit Hammond’s next pitch over the wall in center field.

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New York nine

New York Mets players who have hit for the cycle:

*--* June 21, 2006 Jose Reyes vs. Cincinnati July 29, 2004 Eric Valent at Montreal Sept. 11, 1997 John Olerud vs. Montreal July 3, 1996 Alex Ochoa at Philadelphia Aug. 1, 1989 Kevin McReynolds at St. Louis July 4, 1985 Keith Hernandez at Atlanta (19 inn.) June 25, 1976 Mike Phillips at Chicago July 6, 1970 Tommie Agee vs. St. Louis Aug. 7, 1963 Jim Hickman vs. St. Louis

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Source: The Associated Press