Mets 2 - 3 Reds
Final/10
  for this game

Choo helps Reds edge Mets in extras, clinch playoff berth

Sep 24, 2013 - 5:49 AM Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Shin-Soo Choo's single into deep left plated the winning run in the 10th inning, and the Cincinnati Reds clinched a playoff berth on Monday with a 3-2 win over the New York Mets.

Choo was left stranded at third the inning prior when the Reds left the bases loaded, but he made sure a run crossed the plate in the 10th by recording his second RBI of the night with his hit off Sean Henn. He also swiped two bases.

Greg Burke (0-3) put runners in scoring position for Choo by giving up a pair singles, which put runners at the corners.

The Reds remain tied atop the Wild Card standings with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but both teams clinched a playoff berth after the Washington Nationals lost to the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals, who hold a two-game edge.

Manny Parra (2-3) pitched a scoreless 10th behind Johnny Cueto, who made his second start since returning from the disabled list. He was effective over a seven-inning stint, yielding just two runs -- one earned -- on three hits with five strikeouts.

Lucas Duda drove in both runs for the Mets, tying the game at 2-2 with his solo homer in the sixth. However, he spoiled New York's last scoring opportunity in the eighth, when Sean Marshall induced him into an inning- ending double play with runners at first and second.

"It's good having Marshall back, because that's his job," said Reds manager Dusty Baker about his reliever, who pitched in his third game since returning from a shoulder injury.

The Mets sent former Red Aaron Harang to the hill, and he worked around six walks to go six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits.

"We played them tough. We just couldn't muster up enough runs. But we played them very, very well," said Mets manager Terry Collins.

Joey Votto drew walks in every one of his five plate appearances, setting a career high. After Choo's two-out single in the second opened a 1-0 lead for Cincinnati, he doubled the edge by working a four-pitch bases-loaded walk off Harang later in the frame.

Cueto had to labor a bit in the third, but was able to limit the damage after walking David Wright to give New York a bases loaded situation with one out. Harang, who had reached on a throwing error from Todd Frazier, scored the only run of the inning when Cueto induced Duda into a fly to center. Cueto then got through the frame when Eric Young was caught trying to swipe third.

Game Notes

Cincinnati is back in the postseason for the third time in four seasons ... It was the Reds' 12th walk off win of the season ... Votto has 132 walks on the season ... New York is 9-11 in extra inning games this season ... The Mets had just six hits.






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