Cespedes’ blast sparks Mets’ comeback win

NEW YORK — Yoenis Cespedes all but single-handedly hauled the Mets out of the depths of defeat on Tuesday, hitting a pinch-hit, game-tying homer to lead them to a 4-3 win over the Reds at Citi Field.

In his first appearance since having fluid drained from his bruised right leg on Monday, Cespedes redirected Reds starter Brandon Finnegan’s first-pitch fastball off the left-field wall above the home run line for a three-run homer in the seventh inning. Three batters later, David Wright cracked an RBI single to left field, snapping an 0-for-9 funk to send the Mets toward their fifth consecutive victory.

The Mets have won 15 of their last 17 games against the Reds.

Before Cespedes’ dramatics, Finnegan was in the midst of one of his best starts with the Reds. Backed by an Ivan De Jesus Jr. homer and a Billy Hamilton diving catch in center field, Finnegan carried a 3-0 lead into the seventh. But he walked Juan Lagares with one out and allowed a single to Kevin Plawecki, forcing Reds manager Bryan Price to make a decision.

Price stuck with Finnegan, who grooved a first-pitch fastball to Cespedes.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDSuper sub Cespedes: Making his first appearance in a game since Friday and just the 10th pinch-hit appearance of his career, Cespedes took a vicious swing at the first Finnegan offering he saw: …

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