Trending Now - Mclean Struggles Again as Mets Face Familiar Defeats
WHO:
MLB.com - Right-hander Nolan McLean is a player for the Mets.
MLB.com - Carlos Mendoza is the Mets manager.
MLB.com - Juan Soto is a Mets outfielder.
MLB.com - Nick Lodolo is a left-hander for the Reds.
MLB.com - Spencer Steer and Eugenio Suárez are players for the Reds.
MLB.com - JJ Bleday is a player for the Reds.
MLB.com - Tyler Stephenson is a player for the Reds.
MLB.com - Marcus Semien is a player for the Mets.
WHAT:
MLB.com - McLean pitched the shortest start of his career, throwing 3 2/3 innings against the Reds.
MLB.com - McLean allowed four runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Tyler Stephenson.
MLB.com - The Reds scored two runs in the second inning, with Spencer Steer driving in the first run on a groundout.
MLB.com - JJ Bleday hit a solo homer in the third inning, marking his seventh home run of 2026.
MLB.com - Nick Lodolo allowed one run in six innings, striking out seven batters and throwing 98 pitches.
MLB.com - The Reds improved their record to 28-25 after winning four of their last five games.
MLB.com - McLean allowed nine runs (six earned) in a loss to the Nationals.
MLB.com - McLean threw 3 2/3 innings in a 7-2 loss to the Reds.
MLB.com - McLean's ERA increased from 3.57 to 4.40 after the game.
MLB.com - The Mets scored four runs in their last four games.
MLB.com - Soto was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game due to flu-like symptoms.
MLB.com - Soto developed a fever and was too weak to play against the Reds.
MLB.com - The Mets had lost five of their past six games.
WHERE:
MLB.com - The games took place at Citi Field, New York.
MLB.com - The Mets played against the Nationals and the Reds.
WHEN:
MLB.com - McLean's poor start against the Nationals occurred on May 19.
MLB.com - McLean was taken out of the game against the Reds after the fourth inning.
WHY:
MLB.com - McLean is struggling with throwing his secondary pitches for strikes.
MLB.com - Mendoza stated that the Reds did a good job attacking McLean's fastball.
HOW:
MLB.com - Lodolo did not walk any Mets batters during the game, a significant improvement from his previous starts.
MLB.com - McLean struck out the side in the first inning but struggled thereafter.
MLB.com - McLean hit Blake Dunn with a pitch before being removed from the game.
MLB.com - Mendoza mentioned that the team is having problems putting rallies together and needs to drive the ball better.
(UPDATED May 26, 2026 06:18 UTC)
In a tough outing, McLean pitched just three and two-thirds innings against the Reds, allowing four runs in the fourth inning, which included a two-run homer from Tyler Stephenson. Meanwhile, Nick Lodolo delivered a strong performance for the Reds, allowing only one run over six innings while striking out seven batters and not walking any Mets batters. With this victory, the Reds improved their record to twenty-eight wins and twenty-five losses, having won four of their last five games.
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(UPDATED May 26, 2026 04:18 UTC)
Nolan McLean, a right-hander for the Mets, struggled in his recent outing, allowing nine runs, six of which were earned, in a 7-2 loss to the Reds, causing his ERA to rise from 3.57 to 4.40. The Mets have been facing challenges, scoring just four runs in their last four games, and Juan Soto was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game due to flu-like symptoms, leaving the team in a tough spot as they’ve lost five of their past six games. Manager Carlos Mendoza noted that McLean had difficulty throwing his secondary pitches for strikes and emphasized the need for the team to improve their offensive rallies.