CINCINNATI -- Hunter Greene didn't have to look far to see what it takes to become a superstar ace and likely future Hall of Famer. The Reds starting pitcher worked opposite one as Justin Verlander pitched for the Mets during their clash on Wednesday.

"Definitely want to get a jersey signed by him when we go to New York. In real time, I've got to go out there and go battle against that dude and believe I'm better than him," Greene said. "But he's fantastic. I think I really appreciate … how hard this game is and what it takes, and to do well at the highest level. He's done that year in and year out. I aspire to have the career that he's had."

Greene struck out the side in the first inning while Verlander gave up hard contact and one run. From there, things went in opposite directions for both pitchers. Greene often labored to put away hitters, while Verlander didn't give up another hit during Cincinnati's 2-1 loss at Great American Ball Park.

"I’ve seen him where [Greene] has everything working and it was all clicking. I didn’t feel like that was necessarily the case tonight," Reds manager David Bell said. "More times than not, you are going to be like that and you have to figure out how to get outs. I do think it was a growth opportunity."

It was a 1-1 game when the pivotal point came in the top of the fourth inning after Greene notched two quick outs. One strike away from a clean inning, his 3-2 slider was left over the plate to Luis Guillorme for a double to right field.

After an 0-2 count vs. No. 9 hitter Francisco Álvarez, Greene lost him with a walk. Brandon Nimmo fouled off back-to-back 1-2 pitches and then hit a 2-2 slider left over the plate for an RBI single to right field and the go-ahead run.

It took 30 pitches for Greene to finish the top of the fourth inning.

"I wasn't able to execute there," Greene said. "But I know that I have in the past and I will be able to execute in those counts in the future. I just struggled with it with a couple of guys. I'll be able to get back on top and figure it out."

Greene, who signed a six-year, $53 million contract with the Reds on April 18, allowed two earned runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings and 105 pitches, with four walks and four strikeouts.

Mets hitters were aggressive early in counts as Greene threw first-pitch strikes to 19 of his 26 batters, but they often stayed alive late in counts.

"I think they did a good job of laying off some pitches," Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. "I’m sure he’ll even say it was one of those games you just have to grind and battle through. I thought he did an excellent job. He made some good pitches when he needed to. I felt like he kind of learned and made huge strides, just understanding who you are as a pitcher and learning to get out of situations.”

A two-out RBI double to right field by Jake Fraley in the first inning scored Jonathan India and made it a 1-0 game. Fraley went to third on the throw to the plate. After Stephenson walked, and with Nick Senzel in an 0-2 count, the Reds tried to create a run. Stephenson broke for second base, hoping to draw a throw. The catcher, Álvarez, pump faked and held Fraley at third before throwing out Stephenson.

"It was not executed properly and it’s my fault, period. That’s a big play in the first," Bell said.

Verlander, who has won three Cy Young Awards, an MVP and two World Series, shut down the game after that. He retired 18 of the final 19 batters he faced as Cincinnati was held hitless the rest of the way.

Greene opened the Mets' second inning with a first-pitch slider over the middle to Pete Alonso, who clobbered it to left field for a game-tying homer. The right-hander called it bad execution.

"That's a dude that you have to go after him and challenge him, and obviously he's hot, he's doing well," Greene said. "Just a pitch that caught too much of the plate, and he hung on to it."

Greene still came away pleased with his overall performance against a top pitcher.

"Definitely not my best game with stuff or how I felt, but very proud of myself that I was able to keep the game in control and go as deep as I could," Greene said.