Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds' chances at the NL Central title were slim heading into Wednesday's rubber match against the New York Mets.

Now, they have been eliminated from the division race.

Daisuke Matsuzaka was impressive over 7 2/3 scoreless innings, as the Mets blanked the Reds 1-0 at Great American Ball Park.

Matsuzaka (3-3) won his third straight start after holding Cincinnati to four hits in the finale of a three-game set. The Japanese right-hander struck out six and walked two.

Mat Latos (14-7) pitched seven strong innings for the Reds, but came up empty in a fourth consecutive attempt at setting a new career-high in wins.

The loss, coupled with a win by first-place St. Louis over Washington, ended any hopes at a division crown for playoff-bound Cincinnati. The Reds are one game behind Pittsburgh and conclude the regular season at home this weekend with three against the Pirates, a series that will determine home-field advantage for Tuesday's NL wild-card game.

New York scored the game's only run in the third inning. Latos hit the leadoff batter, Wilfredo Tovar, who went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Matsuzaka and a passed ball. Eric Young, Jr. then slapped a single to the right side through the drawn-in infield to plate Tovar.

The Reds had a handful of opportunities, but were devoid of the big hit, finishing 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Two men were stranded in the home third, and Matsuzaka got Devin Mesoraco to ground into a double play to end the next inning with two runners aboard.

Matsuzaka gave way to the bullpen with the tying run at second in the eighth. Pedro Feliciano then walked Shin-Soo Choo on four pitches before uncorking a wild pitch that allowed both runners to advance. The southpaw reliever, though, was able to retire the left-handed swinging Joey Votto on a fly ball to center field.

LaTroy Hawkins earned his 13th save with a flawless ninth.