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PHILADELPHIA -- Jay Bruce and Robert Gsellman made scoreboard-watching irrelevant for the New York Mets.Bruce homered for the third straight game and drove in three runs, Gsellman threw six sharp innings and the Mets moved closer to securing a wild-card berth with a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.The defending NL champions reduced their magic number to one with two games remaining. The Mets began the night atop the wild-card race, with San Francisco one game back and St. Louis two behind.Manager Terry Collins and players in the clubhouse didnt pay any attention to televisions airing the Pirates-Cardinals game. Collins said the team had no plans to celebrate regardless of the outcome in St. Louis.We had to take care of our own business and weve done that and we have to keep doing that, Collins said.Gsellman (4-2) scattered seven hits and struck out seven in another strong performance. The rookie right-hander has allowed only three earned runs in his last four starts.I think Ive done a good job blocking it out, Gsellman said of pitching in a playoff race. Im focusing on having fun and doing what I do.More Mets fans were inside a half-empty ballpark on a wet, chilly night when Ryan Howard began his final series in front of the home crowd. The blue-and-orange faithful screamed Lets Go Mets and their Bruuuuuce chants drowned out boos from Phillies fans.Stuck in a slump for nearly two months since being acquired from Cincinnati, Bruce extended his hitting streak to six games. He finished 3 for 4.I have confidence in myself and I have confidence in my team, Bruce said. I want to contribute and help the team get to the World Series. Its come at the right time.Philadelphia starter Alec Asher (2-1) retired the first 11 batters before he ran into trouble with two outs in the fourth when Yoenis Cespedes and Curtis Granderson hit consecutive singles.Bruce and T.J. Rivera followed with back-to-back RBI singles for a 2-1 lead.Ive pitched like I know I should, Asher said. I just want to carry on next year.Bruce connected in the seventh, sending his 33rd homer the opposite-way to left field. The Mets added two runs, including another RBI single by Bruce.He changes our whole lineup, Collins said. Its nice to have him swinging the bat well. Hopefully he stays hot.Earlier in the inning, Howard let Cespedes infield pop fall untouched near the first-base bag, allowing a runner to score from third.Howard hit a double to deep center his first time up and was 1 for 4. Cameron Rupps sacrifice fly followed Howards double and put the Phillies ahead 1-0.Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, is the last player remaining from the 2008 World Series championship team. The Phillies plan to pay him a $10 million buyout rather than exercise a $25 million option for 2017.STATSBruce is 10 for 20 with four homers and eight RBIS in his last six games. ... Mets are 15-2 after an off day. ... Mets tied a franchise record with 106 homers on the road. They already have a franchise-best 217 homers.TOSSEDPhillies manager Pete Mackanin was ejected for the first time this season in the eighth inning by first baseman umpire Will Little. Mackanin perhaps thought Cespedes swung at an inside pitch from Michael Mariot and was tossed once he walked onto the field.TRAINERS ROOMPhillies: SS Freddy Galvis left the game because of tightness in his right hamstring.LOOKING AHEADMackanin emerged from a long meeting with coaches and front-office executives hopeful the team will add a veteran hitter in the offseason. I would like to get a good solid proven hitter somewhere on the field, he said. Where that is right now will be determined by who is available and what kind of a deal, if any, they could make.UP NEXTRHP Bartolo Colon (14-8, 3.42 ERA) starts for the Mets against RHP Phil Klein (0-1, 8.22) for the Phillies. Colon is 10-5 vs. Philadelphia. 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Senior Tyler OConnor will again start at quarterback for Michigan State?following the season-ending injury to Brian Lewerke, coach Mike Dantonio said Thursday night.OConnor has started six games this season as Dantonio has also mixed in playing time for Lewerke, who started two games, and junior Damion Terry.Lewerke, a redshirt freshman, suffered a broken leg after entering the game late in the Spartans 32-233 loss to Michigan on Saturday.ddddddddddddHe threw for 100 yards and a touchdown in the game.Dantonio said during his radio show that OConnor would start against Illinois on Saturday, but Terry might see some reps. OConnor has thrown for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. ' ' '