CINCINNATI -- The Reds fell behind by a dozen runs and played more than three hours while wrapping up their 90th loss of the season.
Yep, the bad numbers keep piling up.
Lucas Duda hit a pair of three-run homers on Friday night, and Noah Syndergaard dominated with his 99-mph fastball while pitching into the eighth inning, leading the Mets to a 12-5 victory over Cincinnati that moved New York to the verge of its first playoff spot since 2006.
The Mets' magic number for clinching the NL East was reduced to one with Washington's 8-2 loss to Philadelphia.
By contrast, the Reds have lost 90 games for the first time since 2007, the year before Dusty Baker took over as manager and led Cincinnati to three 90-win seasons and playoff appearances. They're a long way from those days, just trying to finish out the season.
They've lost their last six games.
"I'm hanging in there," starter Anthony DeSclafani said. "I don't feel great, but it's September. Nobody feels great."
Duda was the catalyst as New York stretched its road winning streak to nine games, matching the club record from 2006. He had a pair of RBI doubles on Thursday night in a 6-4 win, and hit three-run homers off DeSclafani (9-12) and Tony Cingrani on Friday. His six RBIs were a career high.
"The mistakes he made, they put the barrel on," manager Bryan Price said of DeSclafani. "He didn't have a lot of strikeouts. All of our guys, the mistakes they made, they put the barrel on. They fought off some good pitches."
Curtis Granderson added a three-run shot in the eighth as the Mets built a 12-0 lead.
Syndergaard (9-7) allowed five hits and struck out 11 over 7 2-3 innings, the fourth time he's reached double-digit strikeouts. He retired 16 in a row over one stretch.
The Mets are 24-15 all-time at Great American Ball Park, the best winning percentage by any NL team. They've excelled on the road overall, going 28-11 since July 1.
The road has been Syndergaard's weak spot. The rookie came into the game only 1-5 with 4.47 ERA on the road, compared to 7-2 at Citi Field with a 2.57 ERA. He's been much better lately, winning his last two road decisions.
Syndergaard also had a pair of hits, including an RBI single in the second inning. Duda's 23rd homer made it 4-0 an inning later and extended the Mets' club-record streak of at least three runs in each of their last 29 road games.
Rookie Numbers
DeSclafani became the first Reds rookie to make 30 starts in a season since Johnny Cueto in 2008.
Trainer's Room
Mets: Juan Uribe pinch hit and left the game after aggravating a chest injury suffered last Sunday. X-rays were negative.
Reds: Manager Bryan Price plans to use RHP Michael Lorenzen for one-inning appearances out of the bullpen the rest of the way to limit his pitches. The rookie has made 21 starts and thrown 109 2-3 innings.
Up Next:
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey (12-7) can clinch the title for New York. He's 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three career appearances against the Reds. He won his only start at Great American Ball Park in 2012.
Reds: LHP John Lamb (1-3) has never faced the Mets. Lamb, acquired from the Royals in the trade for Johnny Cueto, is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last three starts.
