Game Thread: Mets(14-11) vs Reds(12-13)

Mets(courtesy of mlb.com)

David Wright entered Sunday’s game batting .426 with three home runs in 47 career at-bats against Phillies starter Jamie Moyer, and he added to that by going 1-for-2 with a three-run homer against Moyer in Sunday’s game. … Jose Reyes had gone 124 at-bats without a home run. … A limited number of Subway Series tickets go on sale Thursday, 10 a.m. ET, at Mets.com and LosMets.com. Fans can purchase a maximum of six tickets total for games at Citi Field on May 21 at 7:10 p.m., May 22 at 7:10 p.m., and May 23 at 8:05 p.m.

The Mets are riding a hot streak. The Reds have been heating up lately.

On Monday, they’ll sizzle in Cincy when the clubs meet up for the first of three games at Great American Ball Park.

“They’re real hot. Everybody we’ve been playing is hot,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We ran into Florida when they were hot. San Diego won seven in a row. They were hot. Houston had been hot. We came here [to St. Louis] and they won four in a row from Atlanta. Everybody we’re running into is hot.”

Baker is right.

Even after Sunday’s 11-5 loss to the Phillies, the Mets are 8-2 in their past 10 games. The Reds were defeated in the final two games of the series against the Cardinals this weekend but finished with a 4-2 record on the six-game road trip. The Cubs, winners of three of four games against the D-backs, will follow the Mets into Cincinnati this weekend.

“We have to go home now and play a hot club in the Mets,” Baker said. “We’ll go home, regroup and get our act back together.”

Oliver Perez will take the mound for New York. The Reds will counter with rookie Mike Leake.

Lineup

Angel Pagan, CF
Luis Castillo, 2B
Jose Reyes, SS
Jason Bay, LF
David Wright, 3B
Ike Davis, 1B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Rod Barajas, C
Oliver Perez, LHP

Reds(courtesy of mlb.com)

Leake, who has pitched seven innings in three consecutive starts, gave up one earned run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts for a 6-4 victory over the Astros in his last start. Through his first four innings, he surrendered only one first-inning hit and faced the minimum 12 batters.

“He can throw strikes and get ahead of hitters. As long as he does that, he’s going to be fine,” Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez said.

Hernandez knows of what he speaks. In his big league debut, Leake gave up one run in 6 2/3 innings against the Cubs. He’s been steadily improving ever since.

“There are always adjustments in baseball. These guys are helping me by bringing me along,” Leake said. “It’s making it a little easier on me. They’re treating me with respect and guiding me along slowly but surely.”

Reds rotation received five quality starts during six-game trip and went 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA. … The three hits Sunday were the lowest total for the club all season. … Backup catcher Ryan Hanigan started behind the plate against the Cardinals on Sunday, which was the fourth time during the six-game road trip that he started in favor of Hernandez. Hernandez will back in the starting lineup Monday.

Lineup

Drew Stubbs, CF
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Joey Votto, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Jonny Gomes, LF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Chris Heisey, RF
Ramon Hernandez, C
Mike Leake, RHP

PLAY BALL

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