The New York Mets got a treat on Tuesday night when veteran ace Max Scherzer returned from the injured list.

After suffering an oblique injury in May, Scherzer missed almost two full months, but he made his return last night against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching six scoreless innings and striking out 11 batters.

However, his dominant return wasn’t enough to get the Mets a victory on Tuesday, as Reds starter Nick Lodolo quieted the bats and paved the way for Mike Moustakas to win it for Cincinnati on a sac-fly in the ninth.

Francisco Lindor recently spoke about what the key to winning is for the Mets, as seen in Mike Puma’s tweet below.

Lindor Defends His Aces

Lindor kept things as real as he could.

He made a blunt assessment about where the Mets are and correctly pointed out that it doesn’t matter how well guys like Scherzer, or Jacob deGrom when he returns, pitch.

If they don’t score runs, their aces can only do so much.

Scherzer gave the Mets a great chance to win the game last night and secure a series win over the Reds, but Cincinnati played just a little bit better, coming through when they had an opportunity on offense to do some damage.

Lindor is pretty much calling out the Mets offense, including himself, stressing that production is needed if the returns of Scherzer and deGrom are to mean anything.

Scherzer did everything he could on Tuesday and put the Mets in position to succeed.

The bats just couldn’t pick him up.

1-0 losses are always excruciating, especially when your starter gives you six scoreless innings and strikes out 10 or more.

The Mets will need an uptick in offense in order for Scherzer’s return to benefit them.

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