The Mets' return from the All-Star break provided plenty of hoopla, but the three-game set against the Reds at Citi Field was not as celebratory.

Luis Torrens’ throwing error on a delayed pickoff attempt at first base in the third inning gave the Reds their first run. Holmes allowed an RBI single to Matt McLain to tie it 2-2 before getting Elly De La Cruz to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Cheers turned to groans as the Mets made some costly defensive mistakes and the offense came up empty on a few big chances in a 6-2 loss to the Reds.

The Mets' bats went silent after the second inning, not putting a runner in scoring position until Brandon Nimmo's two-out double in the ninth.

It’s been well-established that even with the return of lefty Brooks Raley on Friday, the Mets’ bullpen was a mess and a prime target to be upgraded by president of baseball operations David Stearns by the July 31 trade deadline.

Terry Francona discusses his bullpen decisions and how his lineup fared against David Peterson in the Reds' 3-2 loss to the Mets

Clay Holmes ran out of gas in the sixth inning once again, the defense defended little and the Mets chased all sorts of pitches in a 5-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

CINCINNATI — Taking two out of three games from the New York Mets is good. However, Sunday’s 3-2 loss for the Reds is a missed opportunity to earn a huge sweep of a good Mets team and further dent into the National League Wild Card race.

The Mets had a memorable pregame ceremony at Citi Field on Saturday, retiring David Wright’s uniform No. 5 and inducting him into the Mets Hall of Fame because of a fabulous 14-year career in orange and blue.

Left-hander Sean Manaea made his return to Citi Field on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds, striking out the side in the first inning and walking off the mound as the ballpark speakers played “The Boys are Back in Town.” Juan Soto hit a home run off of left-hander Nick Lodolo in the bottom of the inning, and a packed crowd roared.

The last time the Cincinnati Reds won a playoff series, Barry Larkin and Bret Boone were the middle infielders, and Jeff Brantley was closing games.

Austin Hays hit two homers and finished with three RBIs Friday night for the visiting Cincinnati Reds, who beat the New York Mets 8-4 in the opener of a three-game series.