Major League Baseball

Bruce, Gsellman move Mets closer to playoff spot, beat Phils

Published Sep. 30, 2016 11:54 p.m. ET

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) Jay Bruce homered for the third straight game and drove in three runs, Robert Gsellman threw six sharp innings and the New York Mets moved closer to securing a wild-card berth with a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.

The defending NL champions reduced their magic number to one. The Mets began the night atop the wild-card race, with San Francisco one game back and St. Louis two behind.

Gsellman (4-2) scattered seven hits and struck out seven in another strong performance. The rookie right-hander has allowed only three earned runs in his last four starts.

More Mets fans were inside a half-empty ballpark on a wet, chilly night when Ryan Howard began his final series in front of the home crowd. The blue-and-orange faithful screamed ''Let's Go Mets'' and their ''Bruuuuuce'' chants drowned out boos from Phillies fans.

Philadelphia starter Alec Asher (2-1) retired the first 11 batters before he ran into trouble.

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