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Mets try to move on from Beltran with road sweep of Reds

Jul 28, 2011 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - Though he will have to do it without Carlos Beltran's help, skidding southpaw Chris Capuano can pitch the New York Mets to an unlikely road sweep today when they visit the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a four- game series at Great American Ball Park.

The Mets shook off any ill effects of the pending Beltran trade in Wednesday's game, when Mike Pelfrey went the distance and received plenty of support in an 8-2 victory.

Pelfrey (6-9) surrendered two runs on seven hits to record his second complete game of the season.

Beltran, who has a no-trade clause, was not in the lineup and reports indicate he is on his way to the Giants. But New York appeared galvanized. David Wright belted a three-run homer, Lucas Duda added a solo shot, Angel Pagan had two RBI and Murphy went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles.

While the deal has yet to be officially announced, Wright seemed resigned to the fact that Beltran is all but headed to the Giants.

"We've obviously traded one of our best players, but there are still games to be played," Wright said after Wednesday's win.

Bronson Arroyo (7-9) was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits and three walks over six innings.

Joey Votto hit his second home run in as many nights and Jay Bruce had a triple for the Reds.

Capuano is seeking an end to a three-game losing streak, which began after the 32-year-old defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-2, on July 4 for a third straight victory.

He followed up with losses to San Diego and a pair to Florida, allowing 17 hits and 10 runs in 19 2/3 innings.

He's 2-3 in 13 games against the Reds -- including 10 starts -- with a 4.85 earned run average across 68 2/3 innings.

The 1999 draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks hasn't won as many as nine games in a season since 2006, when he won 11.

Texas-born righty Homer Bailey aims for a third straight victory for the Reds.

The former first-round draft pick -- No. 7 overall in 2004 -- downed Atlanta and St. Louis in his two most recent starts and gave up a combined three runs on eight hits in 13 1/3 innings.

He's 5-4 in his last 10 starts, in which Cincinnati has gone 5-5.

Bailey has never faced the Mets in 66 career starts.

The Reds took four of six from the Mets last year.