NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Reyes bunted for a base hit in the first inning to enhance his NL batting title chances, then was lifted for a pinch runner as fans booed after what could have been his final at-bat for the New York Mets during a season-ending 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.
The hit elevated Reyes’ average to .337057 and gave him a 2 1-2 point lead over Ryan Braun, who was at .334525 heading into Milwaukee’s regular-season finale against Pittsburgh. The Mets have never had a batting champion, but Braun could edge out Reyes by going 3 for 4.
The dynamic shortstop with a broad grin and bouncy dreadlocks bunted Edinson Volquez’s second pitch down the third-base line, and a charging Juan Francisco couldn’t pick up the ball.
