Reds 2, Mets 1: Alfredo Simon worked seven strong innings while Ryan Ludwick went 2-for-4 and singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning as Cincinnati avoided a three-game sweep in New York.

Simon (1-0), making his first start since 2011 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, allowed one run on four hits and struck out six. Brandon Phillips added two singles to run his hit streak in road games against the Mets to 29 games for the Reds, who snapped a four-game losing streak against New York.

Jon Niese (0-1), who made his first start of the season after dealing with left shoulder and elbow soreness during spring training, gave up two runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings. Ike Davis, who delivered a walk-off, pinch-hit grand slam in Saturday’s dramatic win, scored the Mets’ only run and tallied two of their four hits.

New York got on the board in the second when Davis doubled with one out and Juan Lagares followed with a line-drive single to left, but the Mets lost out on a chance for a bigger inning when Lagares was caught stealing two pitches later. Niese, who retired the side in order in three of his first five innings, ran into trouble in the sixth when Simon, Chris Heisey and Phillips hit three consecutive singles to open the frame.

Joey Votto plated the tying run moments later with a deep sacrifice fly to left and Ludwick ripped a single over the glove of shortstop Ruben Tejada to push across Heisey. Manny Parra tossed two flawless innings in relief of Simon to notch the first save of his career at the major- or minor-league level.

GAME NOTEBOOK: New York fell short of its bid to sweep Cincinnati at home for the first time since 2005. … Phillips went 1-for-2 against Niese to improve to 8-for-20 in his career against the left-hander. … Niese dropped to 0-4 despite a 3.07 ERA in four career starts at home against the Reds.