Reds Beat Mets 6-5

It certainly wasn't an expectation or a goal, but Chris Heisey became one of the Reds' biggest home run threats this season. Heisey went 3-for-5 on Monday, but his three-run homer in the top of the seventh was the really big hit in the Reds' 6-5 victory over the Mets at Citi Field.

With one out in the seventh and the Reds down by one, Joey Votto singled to right field off lefty reliever Tim Byrdak, who had just entered the game. Jay Bruce followed with a single to left field, and the Mets summoned right-hander Josh Stinson to face the right-handed Heisey.

Heisey deposited a first-pitch slider from Stinson into the left-field seats in one of the toughest stadiums to hit a homer.

"It's a big park," Heisey said. "Standing in center field, more than any park in the National League, you feel like you're in no-man's land. It is so big out there. I had no idea why they made the fences as big as they did here. Fortunately, I hit the ball on the line, and it got up over that big fence in left."

Heisey, who started in center field in place of Drew Stubbs, has hit 18 home runs this season in only 271 at-bats.

"I never was a home run hitter until this year, really," said Heisey, who also has 50 RBIs. "I guess I had 20 in the Minor Leagues two years ago. Before that, I never hit home runs. I couldn't really tell you why I am hitting home runs now. It's good to have 18 in 271 at-bats. I'm happy with that. I wouldn't have expected it coming into the year."

Manager Dusty Baker has drawn lots of heat for not playing Heisey, but he has tried to create matchups for his right-handed pull hitter, who has often struggled against lefties this season. It might have been better for the Mets to leave Byrdak in the game.

"I try to match him against guys I think throw balls that are conducive for his swing," Baker said. "That's part of the job. I know a lot of people don't realize it, but that's what you try to do. More times than not, if you can set a guy up in a situation to succeed, that increases his chances, and our odds as well."

Reliever Logan Ondrusek faced one batter and got the victory, with aid from Heisey on defense. In the sixth, with runners on first and second and two outs, Heisey robbed David Wright with a diving catch deep in center field.

Before Heisey's home run, there were lots of missed opportunities on both sides. On the heels of going 8-for-41 with runners in scoring position in the previous three games against the Pirates, the Reds went 2-for-10 in those situations until the seventh.

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