NEW YORK – Brett Myers buzzed through the New York Mets’ lineup, pitching eight dominant innings and leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-0 victory Friday night that cut their NL East deficit to two games.

Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer off Mike Pelfrey (13-9), and the Phillies took the opener of a crucial three-game series between the top teams in the division. Philadelphia, which rallied past the collapsing Mets last September, handed New York only its sixth loss in 23 games.

Brad Lidge got through a shaky ninth, retiring Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church with two on to end it.

Shane Victorino helped manufacture a run in the first inning, giving Myers (9-10) all the offense he needed. The right-hander allowed three hits and struck out 10 in another overpowering performance, winning his fourth straight start.

After struggling early this season and even going down to the minors to polish his game, Myers is 6-1 in nine outings since coming back from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 20.

Reds 10, Cubs 2

CINCINNATI – Jay Bruce hit his first career grand slam and Joey Votto added a two-run homer, an all-rookie power display that help Cincinnati beat Chicago on a day when nothing went right for the first-place Cubs.

Manager Lou Piniella got lost on his way to the ballpark. Starter Ted Lilly lasted a season-low two innings. And the Cubs’ losing streak reached a season-high six games against a team already eliminated from the race.

Lilly (13-9) gave up five runs, including Votto’s 18th homer, before his quick exit. The left-hander has started four times against the Reds this season and lost all four.

Right-hander Bronson Arroyo (14-10) won his fourth straight start, allowing one run in 6 1-3 innings of a game that kicked off the Cubs’ longest road trip of the season.

Braves 10, Nationals 5

ATLANTA – Rookie Brandon Jones’ three-run double capped a seven-run third inning, and Kelly Johnson had three hits and two RBIs in the Braves’ win over the Nationals.

The Braves have consecutive wins for the first time since Aug. 9, a span of 25 games.

Washington has dropped two straight and three of four after a season-high seven-game winning streak.

Rookie Jair Jurrjens (12-9) allowed six hits, one run and three walks in five innings to win for the first time in five starts. The right-hander, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first on Roger Bernadina’s groundout, struck out six.

Nationals starter Jason Bergmann (2-11) allowed seven runs and five hits with three walks in 2 1-3 innings, his shortest start this season. He was chased after Casey Kotchman’s bases-loaded walk gave the Braves a 4-1 lead in the third.