Montero, Mets dominate Reds

CINCINNATI — When the New York Mets sent Rafael Montero to the minors at midseason, the message was blunt: Throw strikes or you won’t be back. This time, it sunk in.

Montero gave the best performance of his up-and-down career Wednesday night, taking a onehitter into the ninth inning. New York held on for a 2-0 victory that extended its dominance over the Cincinnati Reds.

“He’s learning one thing right now: His stuff in the strike zone can get outs,” manager Terry Collins said. “He pitched brilliantly.”

Montero (3-9) allowed only Joey Votto’s double through the first eight innings. Collins decided to let him try for the shutout — he’d never gone more than 7 innings — and the Reds loaded the bases with one out in the ninth on two hits and an intentional walk to Votto.

A.J. Ramos struck out Adam Duvall and Scooter Gennett for his 26th save in 28 chances.

Jose Reyes, Wilmer Flores and Kevin Plawecki doubled in the first inning for a 2-0 lead against Homer Bailey (4-7), setting up the Mets’ 12th victory in their last 15 games at Great American Ball Park.

The Mets had won 14 straight against the Reds overall since 2014, a streak snapped by Cincinnati’s 14-4 win Tuesday night.

Bailey started on seven days’ rest because of a shoulder irritation that limited him to three innings in his last game. Bailey gave up four hits and one walk in six innings.

“I wasn’t really tired,” said Bailey, who threw 73 pitches. “We just weren’t sure about going through their lineup a third time. We felt we’d be better off getting a pinch-hitter up there and hopefully get something going.”

After the series wraps up Thursday, the Mets will fly to Houston, which is recovering from the massive flooding caused by Harvey. After an unscheduled day off Friday, they will play a doubleheader against the Astros on Saturday.