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 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.
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