(Sports Network) - Cincinnati rookie Johnny Cueto tries for a second straight win today, when the Reds visit Shea Stadium to close out a three-game weekend series with the New York Mets.

The 22-year-old Dominican burst onto the scene in his initial two outings of 2008, allowing just three runs and striking out 18 in his first 13 1/3 major- league innings.

He stumbled later, however, going 0-3 with a no-decision between April 13 and 29 as his earned run average rose from 2.02 to 5.40.

Win No. 2 came in his last start on May 5 against the Chicago Cubs, when he allowed six hits and three runs in six innings of a 5-3 Reds victory.

He has never faced the Mets.

New York lefty Oliver Perez will try to snap a three-start skid.

Perez was 2-0 with a pair of no-decisions in his initial four starts of this season, but has since fallen to Washington, Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Dodgers while allowing 14 hits and 12 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings.

He gave up six hits and five runs in six innings against the Dodgers on May 5 in a 5-1 Los Angeles win at Dodger Stadium.

Perez has had career-long success against the Reds, going 8-3 in 16 lifetime starts with a 4.06 ERA in 88 2/3 innings.

He has walked 45 Cincinnati batters and struck out 107.

On Saturday, Carlos Beltran had a three-run triple and knocked in five, while Carlos Delgado and Brian Schneider hit solo homers as the Mets hammered the Reds, 12-6, in the first game of a day/night doubleheader.

The Reds won the nightcap, 7-1.

In the opener, Beltran finished 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored, while Moises Alou chipped in two hits and a pair of RBI for the Mets, who have won two straight and three of their last five. David Wright contributed with two hits and three runs scored.

Johan Santana (4-2) earned the win for the Mets, his first at Shea. The left- hander gave up three runs on 10 hits, while fanning five and walking a batter over six innings. Prior to the contest, Santana was 0-0 with a 6.14 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Cincinnati.

Edwin Encarnacion had two hits with a homer and two RBI, while Ken Griffey Jr. drove in a pair for Cincinnati, which has dropped seven of its last nine.

Matt Belisle (1-3) went five innings, surrendering six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits, while striking out two and walking three.

Bronson Arroyo was masterful in throwing eight innings of one-run ball, and the Reds pulled away late in game two.

New York couldn't get to Arroyo (2-4), as the Reds starter struck out a career-high nine while allowing just four hits and two walks. He retired the final 13 batters he faced.

Jeff Keppinger recorded his first career 5-for-5 game at the plate, scoring twice and driving in a run. Scott Hatteberg ripped a double, two singles and three runs batted in a much-needed win for Cincinnati, which had dropped seven of its last nine.

Mike Pelfrey (2-3) tossed a quality start for the Mets, giving up two runs on eight hits and one walk through six innings, but the right-hander took the loss after the offense managed just four hits.

David Wright accounted for the lone RBI for New York, which had a two-game win streak stopped.