Reds 7, Marlins 2: Devin Mesoraco homered twice and drove in a career-best six runs and Johnny Cueto moved into a tie for most wins in the majors as host Cincinnati salvaged the finale of a three-game set against Miami.

Mesoraco hit a two-run blast in the first inning and slugged his third career grand slam in the fifth for the Reds, who are just 9-14 since the All-Star break. Cincinnati moved within 2 1/2 games of Pittsburgh in the National League wild-card race, while Miami slipped to five back.

Cueto (14-6) struck out nine and allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings to join St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright, Milwaukee’s Wily Peralta and Los Angeles Dodgers hurler Clayton Kershaw atop the victories’ list. Cueto won his sixth consecutive decision and has pitched at least eight innings 10 times this season.

Cincinnati loaded the bases in the fifth off Brad Hand (2-4) before Todd Frazier drew a walk to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. Mesoraco followed with a towering shot into the left-field seats to give Cueto a five-run cushion.

Giancarlo Stanton belted his NL-leading 29th homer by smacking one to left in the first inning before the Reds moved ahead in the bottom of the inning when Mesoraco drilled his first of the contest. The Marlins tied it in the fourth on a solo shot by Casey McGehee.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Hand allowed seven runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. … Mesoraco is the sixth Cincinnati player to hit three grand slams in a season, and the first since Chris Sabo in 1993. … Stanton nearly had his 30th homer in the eighth but Reds RF Jay Bruce made a leaping grab above the wall to rob him.