Major League Baseball's trade deadline is scheduled for next Thursday (July 31), meaning that teams have less than a week to get their midsummer shopping done. The Mariners made the first notable transaction of the mad season on Thursday night,

Juan Soto dashed home with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, beating a throw to the plate on Luis Torrens’ sharp grounder to second base, and the New York Mets avoided a three-game sweep with a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cincinnati Reds lost in the finale but became just the fourth team to beat the New York Mets in a series at Citi Field this year.

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.

Brandon Nimmo began the season slowly, but over the last two months has been virtually a slump-proof entity for the Mets.

Austin Hays hit two of Cincinnati’s four home runs and Nick Lodolo threw seven strong innings as the Reds beat the New York Mets 8-4.

Left-hander Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Reds right-hander Fernando Cruz (3-8. 4.99), who will likely be utilized as an opener.

Juan Soto bolted without hesitation, using his legs more so than his bat to help a Mets team in dire need of a run in Sunday’s eighth inning.