CINCINNATI (AP) — Jay Bruce hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning and the Cincinnati Reds won their fourth game in a row, beating the New York Mets 3-0 Tuesday night.

The NL Central leaders and the Mets were a combined 0 for 18 with runners in scoring position before Bruce connected with no outs.

Brandon Phillips drew a leadoff walk in the ninth from Manny Acosta (1-3), New York’s fifth pitcher. Ryan Ludwick followed with single that sent Phillips to second.

Left-handed reliever Josh Edgin came in to face the lefty-hitting Bruce, who sent a drive into the left-field seats. It was Bruce’s 23rd homer of the season and second in the Reds’ last two games — both off lefties.

The Reds’ defense, which went into the game tied for the best overall fielding percentage in the league, also saved at least one run in the ninth. After appearing to misjudge the ball, center fielder Drew Stubbs made a backhanded shoetop catch of Ruben Tejada’s sinking liner with two outs and runners on second and third.

Jose Arredondo (5-2) wound up with the win.

Both teams went into the game after getting Monday off. The Mets opened a six-game road trip, while the Reds started a grueling stretch of 17 games in 16 days.

Starters Mat Latos of the Reds and Chris Young of the Mets spent most of their nights pitching into and out of trouble. In all, the clubs stranded a total of 24 runners on base.

Young allowed eight hits and four walks and threw a wild pitch in 5 2-3 innings.

Latos gave up five hits and two walks in seven innings. He was aided in the fourth when Phillips, the Gold Glove second baseman, made a leaping backhand stab of Young’s line drive up the middle with the bases loaded and two outs.

NOTES: Mets RHP Tim Byrdak expects to have surgery on Sept. 5 to repair a torn anterior capsule in his right shoulder. Byrdak went on the disabled list on Aug. 2 and will miss the rest of the season. ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey watched fellow Texan Andy Roddick play in the Western & Southern Open in suburban Cincinnati on Tuesday. ... Reds manager Dusty Baker confirmed that the Reds will call up a pitcher to start one of the games of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader against the Cubs. The Reds are the only team in the majors this season to use just five starting pitchers.