New York @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2012 ) NY Mets 0, Cincinnati 3

The Cincinnati Reds have bounced back from a five-game losing streak by running off four consecutive victories to build their lead in the National League Central to a season-high six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds took the series opener against the Mets in dramatic fashion when Jay Bruce belted a walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. Cincinnati also recorded its second straight shutout to improve its major league-best home record to 37-20.

New York has lost six of eight due to an offense that is grinding to a halt. The Mets have been shut out three times in the last six games, and Tuesday's game exemplified their frustrations at the plate. New York stranded 10 runners and was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. That did not bode well for the Mets, who have the worst bullpen in the majors and were put in the futile position of trying to match the league's best relief corps.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSNO (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH R.A. Dickey (15-3, 2.72 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mike Leake (4-7, 4.51)

Dickey is coming off a masterpiece in his last outing, tossing his fourth complete game of the season and striking out 10 in a 6-1 victory over the Miami Marlins six days ago. Although he is 2-1 in his last three starts, Dickey has allowed only five runs on 13 hits while striking out 27 in 23 innings. The knuckleballer is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two career starts against the Reds.

Leake is winless in his last three starts, although he turned in a solid effort last time out by allowing three runs on six hits in six innings to the Chicago Cubs. He has found victories hard to come by at home, posting a 1-4 record and 6.03 ERA in 12 starts at Great American Ball Park. In three career starts against the Mets, Leake is 0-1 despite a 1.96 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati acquired C Kelly Shoppach from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later.

2. Mets manager Terry Collins said he is considering going to a six-man pitching rotation for the rest of the season.

3. The Reds haven't registered three consecutive shutouts since 1963.