ff the court obviously hes created a great brand, something I eventually want to do when Im done playing.With Jordan willingly offering comparisons, Westbrook was asked about how he sees him

CINCINNATI -- One pitch into the game, the New York Mets once again were headed in the right direction.Reyes hit a leadoff home run, Noah Syndergaard lasted five shaky shutout innings and the Mets won their fifth in a row, beating the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 Wednesday.Were completely focused, manager Terry Collins said. We showed that when they scored three runs and we came right back with big hits. Were in our world right now.Reyes and Curtis Granderson each homered for the second straight day as the Mets beat Cincinnati for the 14th straight time. Wilmer Flores added a pinch-hit, two-run drive.The Mets (74-66) finished off a three-game sweep and have won eight of 10. They pulled within a percentage point of St. Louis (73-65) for the second NL wild card, both a half-game behind San Francisco (74-65).Reyes is trying to not get too caught up in this recent run.Theres still a lot of baseball left, he said. We have to take it one game at a time and win series. Thats what you have to do over the last (22) games.The Mets are one win short of tying the club record for consecutive wins against one team. They won 15 straight against Pittsburgh from June 6, 1986, to April 9, 1987, but theyll have to wait until next season before seeing the Reds again.Syndergaard (13-8) gave up six hits and four walks. But the Reds went 0 for 3 in trying to steal against him -- opposing runners had been previously been 45 for 51 this season.It was 87 degrees and humid at game time, and that mightve taken a toll on Syndergaard.It wasnt what we had been seeing, Collins said. His command wasnt there. I dont know if it was the weather, but when I took him out, I knew he was out of gas. He gave us five. Im glad we got him the win.Jeurys Familia closed for his 47th save, extending his franchise record.Anthony DeSclafani (8-3) took the loss as the Reds fell for the fourth straight time.Jose Peraza doubled twice, singled twice and drove in two runs for the Reds. Cincinnati trailed 5-0 in the eighth before scoring three times, two on Perazas double off Addison Reed that barely missed being a tying grand slam.Cincinnati went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position against Syndergaard. He struck out seven and improved to 4-1 with a 1.38 ERA over his last five starts.Reyes sent a shot into the right-field seats for his sixth homer. He later singled, stole a base and scored.I was trying to get ahead and Reyes was trying to hit one out and he did, DeSclafani said. Hes been swinging the bat well lately. They all have this whole series. They have a good lineup, and theyre playing pretty good.Granderson led off the sixth with his 25th home run.LEADOFF POPReyes home run to lead off the game was his 19th with the Mets, snapping a tie with Granderson for the franchise record. It was his third of the season and overall 24th of his career.PINCH POWERFloress homer was the first of his career as a pinch hitter and gave the Mets 12 this season, tying the franchise record set in 1983.TRAINERS ROOMMets: RF Jay Bruce got Wednesday off, as much a break from the strain of returning to his former home for the first time as anything else, Collins said. I told him yesterday, With all youve been through, why dont you catch your breath and get ready for Friday? Collins said.Reds: CF Billy Hamilton, who strained his left oblique on Sunday, wont travel with the team to Pittsburgh for the four-game series.UP NEXTMets: RHP Robert Gsellman (2-1) is scheduled to start Friday in Atlanta. He allowed one run on six hits over six innings of his first career start in a 3-1 win over Washington on Saturday.Reds: RHP Dan Straily (11-7) starts Thursday at Pittsburgh. He was able to overcome issuing a career-high seven walks in his last start, a 9-1 win over St. Louis. Custom J. R. Richard Jersey . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. Hector Rondon Jersey . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom-michael-brantley-jersey-large-1476y.html . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Mike Scott Jersey Large . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. J. R. Richard Jersey Large . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Michael Jordan praised Russell Westbrook for his sense of loyalty in his speech inducting the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Thursday in Oklahoma City.Another thing you guys should be proud of is the sense of loyalty this kid has shown, Jordan said as the crowd burst into an extended cheer.Following the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors in July, Westbrook responded by signing an extension with the Thunder in August.He couldve easily come to Charlotte, Jordan said, smiling, But he decided to stay here in Oklahoma. Im not here to try and bash anybody thats not here. Everybody has a choice. Im not saying everybody doesnt have a choice. But when I saw he chose to stay in Oklahoma I was so proud, and as Clay [Bennett] knows and Russ know, I texted him to show a sense of respect.One year ago the Thunder organization gathered in Tulsa to induct Durant into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Westbrook was his presenter. At the end of his speech, Durant said, Hopefully well be here next year for Russell Westbrooks induction.Durant was not in attendance.Westbrook focused his speech speaking on unity and the current social climate.After witnessing the divisions and the challenges of our nation we have been facing for the past several months, Ive realized this honors not about me nor about the people in this room, Westbrook said in front of a crowd of about 1,500. Oklahoma is an unbelievable community. Im so appreciative of the fact that the people of Oklahoma have been so supportive of welcoming my family and I. However, I feel theres always room to grow. I can be better, you can be better and we can be better together.Westbrook is a face of Jordan Brand, but also a player Jordan has specifically mentioned as someone he admires. Westbrook said when he found out he was selected, he had a list of people he wanted to induct him and that Jordan responded right away.When Russell asked me to be a presenter, I didnt even pause because of the relationship and the respect that I have for Clay [Bennett] and obviously the respect that I have for Russell, Jordan said. Im truly a fan of his. If you caan ever say, being that were so many years apart, that I can now watch him play, I see a lot of resemblance in his passion for the game of basketball in the way I play the game of basketball.ddddddddddddFollowing the extension in August, Jordan complimented Westbrook, saying thirty years ago, thats me.[Jordans] a guy if he respects you and the things that you do, he took time out of his day to come all the way to Oklahoma City to do this for me, Westbrook said. Which is an amazing honor.Michaels obviously the best player to play the game, Westbrook said. Hes done so many things for the game of basketball in so many ways and broke down so many barriers for guys like myself to go out and compete at a high level. So it means a lot in that aspect. And off the court obviously hes created a great brand, something I eventually want to do when Im done playing.With Jordan willingly offering comparisons, Westbrook was asked about how he sees himself with regards to Jordan.Its hard to compare yourself to the greatest thats ever played the game, Westbrook said.Westbrook was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008 and -- along with Nick Collison -- is one of only two remaining players that relocated with the team to Oklahoma City. He has been committed to charitable efforts in Oklahoma City, from opening Russells Reading Rooms in multiple elementary schools to serving hundreds of meals for each Thanksgiving. In 2015, he received the NBAs Community Assist award.[H]is passion for the game of basketball, you dont teach that. Youre born with that, Jordan said. He shares it with everyone here in Oklahoma. You guys should be certainly proud of that, and the effort and the loyalty hes showed to this state, to this city and this community. Each and every day hes goes out with his Why Not? campaign and his foundation to make sure less fortunate kids get the opportunity to participate in things theyd never even have the opportunity to participate in. He does a great job supporting this community. Feel proud about Russell Westbrook. ' ' '