Mets Fall 2-1 to Reds, Simon

Alfredo Simon pitched seven impressive innings in his first start in more than two years and began the go-ahead rally with his second career hit, helping the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 2-1 Sunday to salvage a win in the three-game series.

Joey Votto had a sacrifice fly and Ryan Ludwick a tiebreaking single off Jonathon Niese (0-1), who was making his first start of the season after a being slowed by shoulder and elbow injuries this spring.

Simon (1-0) made 99 relief appearances for the Reds since his previous start, on Sept. 28, 2011, for Baltimore, but manager Bryan Price tapped the right-hander because Mat Latos is rehabbing from knee and elbow operations. Price said Simon is one of the most durable guys on the staff and had no problem letting him go deep into the game. Still, he lifted Simon after he allowed just four hits and threw 79 pitches

Manny Parra retired all six batters he faced for his first career save, pitching the ninth instead of J.J. Hoover, who gave up Ike Davis' walkoff grand slam Saturday.

Niese (0-1) was nearly as effective in his debut, allowing six hits and two runs in 5 2-3 innings in front of dozens of dogs at Citi Field on Bark in the Park day.

The Mets, though, wasted an opportunity to complete a sweep ahead of a nine-game road trip that begins in Atlanta on Tuesday. The Mets finished their first homestand of the season 2-4.

Simon took the mound in a game for the first time since March 24 but there was little rust.

After an easy first for Simon, Davis slashed a sharp one-out grounder the opposite way down the third base line, a spot vacated by the pull shift, for a double. Davis scored on Juan Lagares' single for a 1-0 lead.

An inning later, Simon walked Niese and Eric Young Jr. doubled to left-center with one out. But Simon struck out Daniel Murphy and David Wright, starting a run of 10 in a row that ended when he hit Wright with a pitch.

Simon started the Reds' go-ahead rally in the sixth by lacing a line drive over Murphy's head for his second career hit. Chris Heisey, in the lineup for Billy Hamilton, who has a jammed left middle finger, and Brandon Phillips each singled to load the bases, and Votto followed with a sacrifice fly and Ludwick the tiebreaking hit, a single to left for a 2-1 lead.

Jay Bruce grounded to first base, ending Niese's day on his 90th pitch.

Gonzalez Germen relieved and pitched around Todd Frazier to face Zack Cosart with the bases loaded. Cosart grounded out to extend his hitless start to 0 for 18. Cosart then flew out to right field in the ninth.