Donnie Barrels and the Reds try to take a bite out of the Mets in the Big Apple

Donovan Solano has been terrific since returning to the Reds lineup.

During yesterday's television broadcast, color analyst Chris Welsh described Donovan Solano as a "magician" at the plate. Needless to say, the Cincinnati Reds infielder certainly played the part of a magic man in Cincinnati's 4-2 10-inning victory on Sunday in Milwaukee.

First, Solano produced an 8th inning double off the newly acquired Taylor Rogers, scoring Jonathan India to give the Reds a late 2-1 advantage. However, the 34-year-old Colombian was not done. After the Brewers tied in the game in the 9th sending it to extra innings, Solano's sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th provided the Redlegs their final margin.

The former San Francisco Giant has been excellent in his first season in the Queen City. Since making his Reds' debut on June 22nd following a hamstring injury suffered during spring training, Solano has produced a .298/.351/.446 slash line in 121 at-bats. In addition, when the nine-year veteran is penciled into David Bell's lineup card, good things happen for the Reds.

Cincinnati is a remarkable 18-12 when Solano's in the starting lineup. A free agent following this season, it seems almost a miracle the former Silver Slugger Award-winner was not dealt at the trade deadline, given his production at the plate and his versatility in the infield. Nevertheless, the Reds will continue to reap the benefits of Donovan Solano as the 2022 campaign reaches its conclusion.

Prediction: Mets stay hot, Reds cool off.

Needless to say, the Reds face an incredible challenge as they visit Citi Field to play an incredibly talented New York Mets ball club who are threatening to run away with the NL East crown. Will the Redlegs rise up in the Big Apple?

Unfortunately, Cincinnati will lose their first series following the All-Star break as the Mets take two of three to capture the series before the Reds make the trek to the cornfield in Dyersville, Iowa to battle the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in The Field of Dreams contest.