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Mets-Reds Preview

May 3, 2010 - 4:43 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

New York (14-10) at Cincinnati (12-12), 7:10 p.m. EDT

It hasn't taken long for Mike Leake to emerge as a surprising talent in the Cincinnati Reds rotation.

New York Mets veteran Oliver Perez, meanwhile, is struggling once again to hold on to his spot.

The pitchers face off Monday as the Mets and Reds open a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati (12-13), which returns home after a disappointing finish to a six-game road trip, has gotten immediate results from Leake (2-0, 3.25 ERA), a 22-year-old right-hander who earned a spot in the rotation this spring despite never having pitched in the minors.

The rookie was outstanding in his last start, giving up one run and five hits in seven innings of a 6-4 win at Houston on Wednesday.

Leake has won his last two starts and has pitched into the seventh inning in all four of his outings - three of which the Reds have won.

"He is a quick learner," manager Dusty Baker said. "He's very confident, but not cocky with his confidence. Like I said in spring training, he came there to make the team. He didn't come there to attend his first big league camp, so that says a lot for his confidence and poise and his ability to learn and retain very quickly."

Leake will try to help turn around his team's pitching fortunes against New York (14-11). The Mets have averaged 5.8 runs while winning eight of their last 13 games in Cincinnati, including two of three last season.

The Reds won the first four games of their road trip before dropping the final two over the weekend in St. Louis. They recorded three hits and struck out 10 times in a 6-0 defeat Sunday.

Aaron Harang was the hard-luck loser, giving up three runs in six innings. Cincinnati starters are 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA over the last six games.

"It's a bummer to go home with those last two tough losses," Harang said. "But the guys have a good upbeat attitude, so we've just got to go home and get things turned around."

The Mets haven't been so fortunate with their starting pitching. They dropped the final two contests of a three-game weekend series in Philadelphia, losing the finale 11-5 after ace Johan Santana gave up 10 runs in 3 2-3 innings. It marked the third time in five games that the Mets' starting pitcher failed to reach the fifth inning. New York starters have an 8.14 ERA in that stretch.

Perez (0-2, 4.35) began the run of poor performances from the rotation, giving up three runs and walking four in 3 2-3 innings of a 10-5 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The veteran left-hander has issued 14 walks in 20 2-3 innings. While manager Jerry Manuel told the Mets' official website that Perez's job is safe for the time being, he also said reliever Hisanori Takahashi could get a look in the rotation if the struggles continue.

Perez is 9-5 with a 4.54 ERA lifetime against the Reds, but has lost his last two starts against them.

Cincinnati third baseman Scott Rolen is 9 for 20 with five doubles in his career versus Perez.