Mets rout Reds to clinch playoff berth

Published 12:33 am Monday, September 28, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) — The New York Mets clinched the NL East title for their first postseason berth since 2006 by beating the Cincinnati Reds 10-2 Saturday behind Lucas Duda’s first career grand slam and another dominant start by Matt Harvey.

Harvey (13-7) was most appropriate to pitch the clincher, the Mets’ sixth division crown. He was the NL’s starter for the 2013 All-Star game at Citi Field, but needed Tommy John surgery and missed all of last season.

Duda sparked a warm-up celebration with his first swing. His first career grand slam in the first inning off left-hander John Lamb (1-4) got thousands of blue-clad NY fans chanting: “Let’s go Mets!”

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Jeurys Familia fanned Jay Bruce to end it, sending the Mets streaming into a huddle in front of the mound.

The only postseason spot still up for grabs in the National League is the West title.

FRIDAY’S GAME

CINCINNATI (AP) — 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 New York Mets to a 12-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that moved them to the verge of their first playoff spot since 2006.

The loss was the 90th of the year for the Reds, their first 90-loss season since 2007.

The Mets’ magic number for clinching the NL East was reduced to one with Washington’s 8-2 loss to Philadelphia.

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 Anthony DeSclafani (9-12) and Tony Cingrani on Friday. His six RBIs were a career high.

Syndergaard (9-7) struck out 11 over 7 2-3 innings, the fourth time he’s reached double-digits in strikeouts.