Cincinnati — Jon Niese welcomes the chance to go out as a winner.

Niese limited Cincinnati's offense for seven innings, and Daniel Murphy hit a three-run homer, leading the New York Mets to a 4-2 victory Tuesday night that dealt a costly setback to the Reds' hopes of another division title.

Cincinnati's Mike Leake (14-7) gave up four runs and eight hits in only 1 2-3 innings, matching the shortest start of his career. Wilfredo Tovar ended Leake's scoreless innings streak at 21 2-3 with an RBI single, and Murphy's homer gave Niese (8-8) the big lead.

The left-hander has pitched well since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 11 after recovering from a partial tear in his shoulder. He could start the final game of the Mets' season on Sunday, giving him a chance to finish with a winning record.

"I want to pitch," he said. "It's my turn, and I don't want to put another guy in an awkward position."

Manager Terry Collins hasn't decided if he'll let him pitch again or have him rest the shoulder.

"He's got a chance to go 9-8," Collins said. "I'll talk to Jon in a couple of days and see how he feels."

Niese kept lefties Joey Votto and Jay Bruce in check again, holding them to a combined 0 for 6 with four strikeouts. Niese allowed two runs and eight hits in seven innings. Vic Black faced three batters in the ninth, getting his first career save on his second try.

Eric Young Jr. had a single and a double, scored a run and stole his 42nd base for the Mets, who have won eight of 12.

The defeat was costly for Cincinnati.

The Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates clinched playoff spots on Monday night, but hoped to chase down the first-place St. Louis Cardinals with closing surges. Leake's one very bad inning made that much less likely for the Reds.

Cincinnati fell a daunting three games behind St. Louis, which beat Washington 2-0 on Tuesday night. If they can't catch up, the Reds are headed for the wild card playoff game in a week.

It was a stunning outing for Leake, who has been the Reds' most effective starter lately. The right-hander allowed a total of two runs while winning his last three starts and getting his career-high 14th win.

Leake gave up two singles in the first inning before escaping. Mike Baxter led off the second with a double and scored on Tovar's single.

The right-hander got an assist when Bruce threw Tovar out at the plate as he tried to score from second base on Niese's single to right field, but it wasn't enough. Murphy's three-run homer on the 10th pitch of his at-bat made it 4-0 with two outs. When David Wright followed with a single — the Mets' eighth hit — Baker made the change.

"That happens," Leake said. "There was one pitch that blew it open for them. They just got me."

Niese also got off to a rough start, giving up singles to Shin-Soo Choo and Brandon Phillips on his first two pitches of the game. He got out of that threat with the help of center fielder Juan Lagares, who nailed Choo at the plate as he tried to score on Ryan Ludwick's single.

"Two pitches, two hits — it was kind of crazy," Niese said. "Juan did a great job and I was able to get out of the inning. It was all-around good defense."

Todd Frazier doubled in the second and came around on two groundouts.

Choo tripled — Lagares charged the ball and missed it — and scored when Votto grounded into a double play in the fifth, cutting it to 4-2. Votto is 2 for 15 in his career against Niese with seven strikeouts. Bruce is 2 for 13 with six strikeouts.

■ Murphy's 13 homers are a career high. ... Young has 26 steals in the second half of the season, most in the majors. ... Lagares set a Mets rookie record with his 13th outfield assist. ... Leake also lasted 1 2-3 innings on July 30 last season against San Diego. ... Leake's scoreless streak was the longest by a Reds starter since Tom Browning threw 23 straight scoreless innings in 1990, when the Reds won the World Series. ... Baker said the Reds haven't decided how RHP Johnny Cueto fits into their postseason rotation and whether rookie Billy Hamilton will be on the playoff roster. ... The series concludes with a day game on today. RHP Mat Latos (14-6) starts for Cincinnati against RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-3).