Spencer Steer belted two of the Reds' season-high five homers on Friday, lifting Cincinnati to a 7-4 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs.

Steer joined Miguel Andujar and Matt McLain in launching solo shots off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga before adding a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning off Porter Hodge (2-2).

Elly De La Cruz immediately followed by going deep for the first time in 44 games to boost his season total to 20 homers, matching Steer for the team lead.

TJ Friedl ripped an RBI single in the fifth inning for the Reds (78-76), who have won three in a row to move 1 1/2 games in back of the Mets (79-74) for the final National League wild-card spot. New York was playing the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Connor Phillips (4-0) struck out two batters and did not allow

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