Lagares takes back homer with great catch

NEW YORK -- Maybe Juan Lagares wanted to play 13 innings.

Because of his home run-robbing catch in the eighth inning, eventually the Mets and Reds did. Lagares' leaping play took a homer away from Cininnati outfielder Jay Bruce and preserved a 1-1 tie before the Mets completed Saturday's suspended game with a 2-1 win on Sunday.

Lagares' follow up to his 2014 Gold Glove campaign hasn't been without its issues. He's struggled recently as he continues to play through minor injuries to his abdomen and elbow. But Sunday he showed the brilliance that earned Lagares his hardware in 2014, as the center fielder tracked Bruce's long fly to left-center field before sneaking his glove beyond the wall. Replays showed Lagares indeed brought it back.

"You get used to watching him be great in the outfield," manager Terry Collins said. "He's still got discomfort. There is always going to be something. These guys play hard. They run balls out and they play hard. They are going to be sore."

Sunday's game was delayed 21 minutes, but eventually picked up in the top of the seventh after it was suspended Saturday due to continuing rain. Lagares' play thwarted the only threat Cincinnati managed over the first (aka last) three innings, before New York's bullpen added four more shutout innings in extras. In total, six Mets relievers combined to throw seven innings.

While Cincinnati committed two errors and misplayed other plays including the grounder that scored game-winning run, the Mets got a specatular catch from their center fielder. And it might have been the difference.

"We won the game," Collins said. "That's the only good thing that happened besides our pitching today. "