CINCINNATI (AP) — One question into manager Bryan Price’s postgame interview, there was a long pause. The Reds had lost again, and there wasn’t much new to discuss.

“What do you ask?” Price said. “After a game like that, there’s not a lot to ask. It’s no fun for everybody.”

Kind of describes the whole second half of Cincinnati’s season, which is reaching new lows.

Curtis Granderson and Travis d’Arnaud each hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs on Friday night, powering the New York Mets to their third straight victory, 14-5 over the Reds.

The Mets hit five homers for the first time since 2006. Wilmer Flores and Dilson Herrera had solo shots, and Lucas Duda hit a two-run homer in the ninth. New York scored in every inning except the third, getting a season-high in runs and tying its season high with 18 hits.

Cincinnati changed colors, wearing green caps and trim as part of an Irish Heritage Night promotion. The result was the familiar: A sixth loss in seven games. Cincinnati is 15-31 since the All-Star break.

The loss on Friday dropped the Reds a season-low nine games below .500.

“There’s really not a whole lot to say at this point,” catcher Devin Mesoraco said. “It’s getting to day after day, the same thing. We’re not able to get enough hits, we’re not able to hold down the other team’s offense.”

The Reds have lost 42 consecutive games in which they’ve allowed at least six runs, tying the club record. They did it twice previously, in 1901-02 and 1910-11.

The Reds gave up season highs in hits and tied their season high with 14 runs allowed.

“Nobody wants to be embarrassed like that,” Price said. “We know we have an extremely poor record since the All-Star break. It can get worse, or it can get better. Nobody wants to sit through this for the last three weeks of the season.”

New York has won three in a row for the first time since the All-Star break.

Bartolo Colon (13-11) gave up two runs and seven hits, including Mesoraco’s solo homer, in seven innings. He walked one, the 26th time in 27 starts this season that he has walked two or fewer.

Granderson ended an 0-for-18 slump with an RBI double in the first inning off Alfredo Simon (13-10), who has only one victory since he was picked for the All-Star game. Simon is 1-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 10 starts since then.

New York took control in the fourth. Simon intentionally walked Duda to face d’Arnaud, who hit a three-run homer on the first pitch, his 13th of the season. He leads NL rookies in homers and has the most by a rookie catcher in Mets history. His four RBIs were a career high.

Granderson connected for his three-run shot in the sixth off Ryan Dennick, making it 10-2. Duda hit his 27th homer in the ninth off Daniel Corcino.

David Wright tied his career high with four hits, including an RBI double.

EXTREME CATCHER

Mesoraco has emerged from a 1-for-32 slump by going 11 for 25 with two homers. His 22 homers this season are the most by a Reds catcher since Eddie Taubensee hit 22 in 1999.

STATS

The last time the Mets hit five homers in a game was during a 13-0 victory on Sept. 30, 2006 at Washington. … It was the 20th four-hit game Wright’s career. … Juan Lagares extended his hitting streak to six games. … Reds C Brayan Pena singled twice. He came into the game in a 3-for-34 slump. … 2B Brandon Phillips singled in his first at-bat, ending his season-worst slump at 0 for 20.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: RHP Vic Black had no problems while throwing and is on schedule to return from the 15-day DL on Sept. 8. He has a herniated neck disc. … 2B Daniel Murphy, on the DL with a strained right calf, ran and took batting practice. He’s eligible to return Sept. 9.

Reds: SS Zack Cozart got a cortisone injection in his sore right wrist. He could be available to play as soon as Saturday.

ON DECK

Mets: Dillon Gee (6-6) makes his first career start at Great American Ball Park. He’s 0-1 career against the Reds in two starts.

Reds: Johnny Cueto (16-8) is 2-3 in nine career starts against the Mets with a 4.50 ERA.

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