Fraley leads Reds to 5-2 win after Mets retire Wright's number at Citi Field

NEW YORK (AP) — Jake Fraley matched a career high with three hits and drove in two runs as the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 5-2 on Saturday.

On a festive afternoon at Citi Field, the Mets honored David Wright by retiring his No. 5 jersey and inducting him into the team's Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead, too, before Fraley doubled and scored on a two-base throwing error by catcher Luis Torrens in the third inning.

Fraley then delivered a tiebreaking single in the fourth and a run-scoring double in the sixth for the Reds, who moved a season-high five games over .500 at 52-47.

New York's first two batters reached base in the ninth, but Emilio Pagán pitched out of trouble to earn his 21st save.

Francisco Lindor grounded into a fielder's choice that left runners at the corners before Juan Soto hooked a potential tying homer just foul down the right-field line. Soto was called out on a borderline check-swing for strike three, and Pete Alonso flied out to the warning track in the right-field corner to end it.

Matt McLain had an RBI single in the third and Tyler Stephenson grounded into a run-scoring forceout in the sixth for Cincinnati. Nick Martinez (8-9) allowed two runs and struck out five over five innings for the win.

Mark Vientos hit an RBI single in the first and Brett Baty led off the second with a homer for the Mets, who squandered an early 2-0 lead for the second consecutive game. New York left the bases loaded in the first and sixth and stranded 11 overall while finishing 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

Clay Holmes (8-5) gave up five runs — four earned — in 5 1/3 innings.

The Mets loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but Scott Barlow struck out leadoff batter Brandon Nimmo before getting Lindor to hit a broken-bat grounder to first.

Mets starters have lasted six innings or fewer 35 times in the last 40 games. David Peterson has accounted for all five starts of 6 1/3 innings or longer in that span.

Peterson (6-4, 3.06 ERA) is scheduled to face fellow All-Star LHP Andrew Abbott (8-1, 2.07) in Sunday’s series finale.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Former New York Mets third baseman David Wright rides on a golf cart, 2nd right, after a ceremony ahead of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Mets outfielder Jeff McNeil dives to catch a ball during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Players of Cincinnati Reds celebrate after winning a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (27) hits a double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Mets' Juan Soto reacts after striking out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Former New York Mets third baseman David Wright rides on a golf cart, 2nd right, after a ceremony ahead of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Mets outfielder Jeff McNeil dives to catch a ball during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Players of Cincinnati Reds celebrate after winning a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (27) hits a double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)