(Adds details, quotes)
* Reds suffer rare home loss
* Harvey gives up one run in Mets win
* Bailey falls to 10-8
Aug 16 (Reuters) - The New York Mets grabbed a rare win over
the National League Central-leading Reds on Thursday, exploiting
an out-of-sorts Homer Bailey to prevail 8-4 in Cincinnati.
The Mets pumped out three runs in the fourth inning, another
three in the sixth and two in the ninth to be in control most of
the night.
The Reds rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth
but the fightback came too late as the Mets snapped a run of
five straight losses to Cincinnati to improve to 56-62 on the
season.
The rare home loss dropped the Reds to 71-47 but they remain
in control of their division, six games ahead of Pittsburgh.
Bailey, who claimed his first win since July 20 last Friday
in Chicago, has now given up 18 earned runs in his last 19
innings and drops to 10-8 on the year.
In contrast, Mets rookie Matt Harvey was in complete control
through seven-and-two-third innings allowing just one run to get
his second win (2-3) of the season.
"What you saw tonight was a little taste of what this guy's
going to be able to do," Mets manager Terry Collins told
reporters.
"When he's got the command going like he did tonight,
everything working, he's going to be tough to hit."
Reds manager Dusty Baker was full of praise for Harvey.
"You have to give a lot of credit to the young man over
there," Baker said. "He threw a heck of a game."
Ike Davis set the tone for the Mets' night in the fourth
with his 21st home run of the season.
Later in the inning pitcher Matt Harvey doubled to centre to
send Jason Bay and Kelly Shoppach home for a 3-0 lead.
Bay opened the sixth in the similar fashion with a solo shot
over right field before Ruben Tejada and Mike Baxter each drove
in a run to extend the advantage to 6-0.
The Mets extended the lead to 8-1 at the top of the ninth
and although the Reds slugged in three runs and had two left on
base they couldn't produce a miracle comeback.
(Reporting by Ben Everill in Los Angeles; Editing by Ian
Ransom/Patrick Johnston)