Chris Bassitt was worthy of a gold star for his effectiveness and yet another for longevity Monday night. 

The Mets had utilized their bullpen plenty in playing five games over four days against the Braves, and extra rest for that group was a commodity, even a day after many of manager Buck Showalter’s top options remained idle. 

Bassitt emerged with eight strong innings that led a 5-1 victory over the Reds at Citi Field. The Mets won for the sixth time in seven games and widened their NL East lead on the Braves to seven games. 

Already at 95 pitches, Bassitt was entrusted the eighth and struck out potential tying run Aristides Aquino after allowing a two-out single to Jake Fraley. Bassitt threw a season-high 114 pitches in allowing one unearned run on eight hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. 

“I think genuinely that is why they brought me over here was for that reason: I am not afraid to go over 100 pitches,” Bassitt said. “I am confident going past 100 and I don’t think my stuff declines.” 

Adam Ottavino, who pitched a scoreless ninth, was the lone reliever used. Showalter indicated he had no plans to use Edwin Diaz for a third straight day if a save situation arose in the ninth. 

“Going in there tonight the goal was to try to get us back in a somewhat rested manner after the off day [Thursday],” Showalter said. “Today was a big step that Bass gave us to get there. We only had to pitch one inning out of the bullpen and get two guys up over the course of a game.” 

Showalter noted the fact Bassitt will receive an extra day off before his next start made it easier to extend the right-hander. 

“My mindset hasn’t changed from any outing,” Bassitt said. “I try to go nine every time. I am not trying to strike anybody out for the most part. It’s more so just kind of give the bullpen a day off.” 

The Reds threatened against Bassitt in the sixth, loading the bases on two infield hits and a hit batter. But with two outs, Bassitt jammed Aquino for a broken-bat pop fly to conclude the inning. 

Joey Votto’s RBI fielder’s choice in the fourth gave the Reds their only run against Bassitt after Pete Alonso dropped Eduardo Escobar’s throw (ruled an error) on a grounder. The Reds had three infield singles on the night against Bassitt, who has been victimized by soft contact in recent starts. 

“It’s part of it,” Bassitt said. “If I am getting soft contact I am doing things right. Hard contact … I am searching. Weak contact doesn’t bother me.” 

In his Reds debut, former Mets first-round draft pick Justin Dunn — who grew up in Freeport — lasted 4 ²/₃ innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Dunn arrived to the Reds in a trade last spring from the Mariners and opened the season on the injured list with a shoulder strain. The Mets had sent Dunn to the Mariners before the 2019 season as part of the deal that yielded Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano. The primary prospect in that trade was outfielder Jarred Kelenic. 

Starling Marte blasted a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Mets a fast lead. After Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch, Marte cleared the left-field fence for his 12th homer. It marked the 21st time the Mets scored multiple runs in the first inning this season. 

Daniel Vogelbach’s torrid start to his Mets career continued with an RBI single in the third that extended the Mets lead to 3-0. Francisco Lindor walked and stole second before Vogelbach delivered with two outs. Vogelbach’s RBI was his seventh in 14 games since arriving in a trade with the Pirates. Lindor has scored at least one run in 11 straight games, two short of David Wright’s club record. 

Lindor was robbed of a two-run homer in the fifth when Albert Almora Jr. reached above the center-field fence to catch his long drive. Tyler Naquin, facing his former team for the first time since he was traded to the Mets last month, smashed a two-run triple in the eighth that provided Ottavino with a cushion. Vogelbach’s double started the rally before Jeff McNeil was hit by a pitch.