CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Spencer Steer hit two of Cincinnati’s season-high five home runs, including a tie-breaking two-run shot in the sixth inning, to power the Reds past the Chicago Cubs 7-4 on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.

The victory kept the Reds in the hunt for the National League’s final wild-card spot, entering play two games behind the New York Mets. The Cubs, who have already clinched a playoff berth and hold the top wild-card position, saw their record move to 88-66. Cincinnati improved to 78-76.

The game was tied 4-4 when Steer stepped to the plate against Cubs reliever Porter Hodge (2-2) with one on and one out in the sixth. Steer launched his 20th homer of the season to left-center field, giving the Reds the lead. On the very next pitch, Elly De La Cruz connected for his 20th homer, also to left-center, to provide a critical insurance run.

The longball was the theme for the Reds, who also got solo shots from Miguel Andujar in the first inning, Matt McLain in the third, and Steer’s first of the night in the fourth.

Chicago built an early lead with a methodical offensive approach, outhitting the Reds 11-7. Dansby Swanson put the Cubs on the board with a solo homer in the second inning. Ian Happ added an RBI double in the third, and Matt Shaw delivered a two-run homer in the fourth to give Chicago a 4-3 advantage.

Cincinnati chipped away, tying the game in the fifth on an RBI single by TJ Friedl that scored Ke’Bryan Hayes, setting the stage for the decisive sixth-inning power display from Steer and De La Cruz.

Cubs starter Shota Imanaga worked five innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out four. He did not factor into the decision. The loss was charged to Hodge, who surrendered three runs on two hits in his one inning of work.

Reds starter Nick Lodolo was touched for four runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. The win went to Connor Phillips (4-0), who recorded two strikeouts in 1 1/3 perfect innings of relief. Emilio Pagan earned his 28th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The game, played in front of a crowd of 25,584, lasted 2 hours and 39 minutes. The teams will continue their series on Saturday.