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Mets aim for sweep of Pirates

Aug 18, 2008 - 12:45 PM NY Mets (68-56) at Pittsburgh (55-69) 12:35 p.m. EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The New York Mets look to complete a perfect road trip when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale on Monday.

After sweeping a three-game series against the Washington Nationals, the Mets have taken the first three from Pittsburgh and moved into first place in the National League East.

John Maine (10-7, 3.97 ERA) makes his second start for the Mets since returning from the disabled list on Wednesday. The righthander, who was placed on the 15-day DL on July 28 with a strained right rotator cuff, pitched five solid innings against the Nationals in his last outing.

Showing no lingering effects from the injury, Maine allowed just one hit, walked four and struck out six in a 12-0 win.

The Pirates, who have not been swept at home since the second week of the season, send Paul Maholm (8-7, 3.69) to the mound.

The lefthander is 6-1 at home and has not suffered a loss at PNC Park since May 20, spanning seven starts. Maholm threw eight strong innings in his last start, allowing two runs and seven hits en route to a 7-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh's offense has been sputtering of late, scoring just 12 runs over its last six games (1-5).

New York is attempting to even its road record at 33-33.