Reds 3, Pirates 0: Mat Latos pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings and smacked a two-run homer as host Cincinnati won its fourth straight game.

Chris Heisey added an inside-the-park homer and Zack Cozart had three hits as the Reds won for the 14th time in 15 games and improved their National League Central lead to 4 1/2 games over Pittsburgh.

Latos (10-3) allowed four hits, three walks and struck out five while improving to 4-0 in his career against the Pirates to help Cincinnati move 24 games over .500 for the first time since 1999.

Latos departed after allowing two seventh-inning singles. Recent acquisition Jonathan Broxton entered and induced Gaby Sanchez to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Aroldis Chapman struck out two in the ninth for his 24th save in 28 opportunities.

Heisey ripped a drive in the second inning that hit high off the left-field wall over a leaping attempt by Pittsburgh’s Starling Marte. The ball caromed toward center field and Andrew McCutchen was slow to back up the play as Heisey narrowly beat the relay throw home.

Latos hit his third career homer in the fifth, a two-run shot to left off Pirates starter Wandy Rodriguez (7-10).

Rodriguez allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cincinnati 2B Brandon Phillips (calf) missed his third consecutive contest. … Marte is 1-for-14 with five strikeouts over the last three games. … Cozart has eight three-hit games this season. … Rodriguez singled in the sixth for his first hit in 40 at-bats this season.