Reds 4, Mets 1: Jay Bruce hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Homer Bailey made the lead stand up as visiting Cincinnati beat New York for its fifth straight win.

Bruce blasted an 0-2 breaking ball from Jon Niese to deep right for his 15th homer, providing all the run support needed for the Reds, who maintained their four-game lead in the National League Central.

Bailey (5-4) held the Mets to one run on six hits and struck out three over eight innings, and Aroldis Chapman worked around a two-out walk in the ninth for his eighth save.

Niese (4-3) struck out seven but allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings to take the loss.

Ryan Ludwick had an RBI single in the fourth for the Reds. David Wright drove in the Mets' lone run with a double in the bottom of the first.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak against the Mets to 19 games … Bailey has won his last three decisions on the road … Cincinnati's Joey Votto went 1-for-3 and has hit safely in five straight games and 20 of his last 21 … Niese has allowed six home runs in 25 2/3 innings against the Reds.