CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Nolan McLean pitched seven dominant innings, striking out nine and allowing only three hits, as the New York Mets defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

The Mets, who had lost the first two games of the series by a combined 17-3, snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 33-41. The Reds fell to 35-38.

McLean, who earned his fourth win against four losses, threw 54 strikes among his 70 pitches and did not walk a batter. He allowed only one unearned run in the third inning after an error extended the frame. The right-hander retired the side in order in the first, second and fourth innings and struck out the side in the seventh. He was removed after the seventh having thrown 70 pitches.

The Reds scratched their only run in the third. With two outs, left fielder JJ Bleday lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring catcher Jose Trevino, who had reached on a two-base error by first baseman Mark Vientos. The rally began when Trevino reached on the error, advanced to third on a double by shortstop Matt McLain and scored on Bleday’s fly ball. McLean then induced a forceout to end the inning.

The Mets answered immediately in the top of the fourth and fifth innings, building a 7-1 lead. After a quiet first two innings in which they grounded into two double plays, the Mets broke through in the third. Catcher Luis Torrens led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Zack Short and advanced to third on a groundout. Third baseman Bo Bichette walked, and left fielder Juan Soto singled to center to score Torrens. Second baseman Marcus Semien followed with a line-drive single to left to score Bichette, and first baseman Mark Vientos singled to left to drive in Soto. The inning ended with the Mets leading 3-0.

The Mets added four more runs in the fifth. After a leadoff groundout, Bichette singled to right, Soto singled to left and Semien singled to left to load the bases. Vientos lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Bichette. Designated hitter Francisco Alvarez singled to left to score Soto, and center fielder A.J. Ewing doubled to center, driving in Semien and Alvarez. The Mets led 7-1.

The Mets capped their scoring with two runs in the eighth. Right fielder Carson Benge led off with a triple to left. Bichette singled to right to score Benge. Soto doubled to center to score Bichette, giving the Mets a 9-1 lead.

McLean’s outing was his second consecutive strong start. On June 12 against Atlanta, he earned the win with four innings of two-run ball, striking out six. On June 6 at San Diego, he threw six innings of one-run ball in a loss.

Reds starter Nick Lodolo took the loss, falling to 2-2. He allowed seven runs, six earned, on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked one.

The Mets’ bullpen finished the game effectively. Austin Warren pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one hit. Brooks Raley pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit.

The Mets’ offense collected 15 hits. Bichette went 3 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and one RBI. Alvarez went 3 for 5 with one RBI. Soto went 3 for 5 with two RBIs. Semien went 2 for 4 with a walk, one run and one RBI. Ewing went 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Vientos went 1 for 4 with two RBIs.

The Reds managed five hits. Second baseman Edwin Arroyo had a double and was hit by a pitch. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe doubled. Third baseman Sal Stewart doubled. Shortstop Matt McLain doubled. Catcher Jose Trevino singled.

The Mets grounded into two double plays. The Reds committed two errors.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 27,207 and lasted 2 hours, 29 minutes.

The Mets now travel to Philadelphia for a three-game series beginning Thursday. The Reds open a three-game series at the New York Yankees on Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of New York Mets 4, Cincinnati Reds 3. Interstat’s ELO system had projected the Reds with a 51.20 percent probability to win. The Mets were installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 1.5. The total score of 10 went under the over-under line of 9.