Surging Mets have tall task against Reds' Chase Burns

The New York Mets will continue trying to stack wins together when they open a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

The Mets are coming off a series win against the visiting Atlanta Braves over the weekend, giving them three wins in the past four games and 10 in the past 16.

Another win on Monday will pull them within six games of .500 for the first time since May 21.

"For us to turn this thing around, we have to start winning series consistently," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after an 8-1 win in the rubber game against the Braves on Sunday. "It doesn't matter the schedule, the teams, it's controlling what we can control and playing our best baseball here moving forward. But, without getting too far ahead, it's one series at a time."

The Braves lead the National League East by a wide margin over the Philadelphia Phillies, so winning two of three was a noteworthy accomplishment for New York.

"It's good to see the guys playing well against a very good team," Mendoza said. "But, you've got to turn the page and get ready for another one (Monday)."

Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing singled, doubled and homered in Sunday's win, boosting his average to .267.

Mendoza said Ewing has a lot in common with New York's other rookie outfielder, Carson Benge.

"You can't really tell if they're 0-for, or they're going through a really good stretch," Mendoza said. "Their ability to just stay consistent and just control what they can control, come in here, get the work in and go out there and play their game."

The Mets plan to start right-hander Tobias Myers in the series opener and see how far he can take them.

Myers hasn't pitched since he tossed an inning of relief against the Miami Marlins on May 29. He has made just two starts this season, compared to 18 relief appearances.

"We're going to see how the game unfolds, but we've got a pitch count in mind," Mendoza said.

Myers (0-1, 4.05 ERA) has made six appearances against the Reds in his career, including two starts, and is 0-0 with a 1.35 ERA.

He made two relief appearances against the visiting Reds late last month and allowed one run over a combined two innings.

The Reds took two of three at the Mets on May 25-27, which is the last time they won a series.

Cincinnati lost its fifth straight series on Sunday when it fell to the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3.

The Reds combined to score seven runs in the three-game series.

"Sometimes, for us, runs are harder to come by than we want them to be," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "It's not a lack of effort. It's a little bit challenging at times."

Cincinnati plans to start Chase Burns in the series opener.

Burns (7-1, 2.14) has two no-decisions in June after going 4-0 in five starts in May with a 1.19 ERA.

The right-hander most recently gave up two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win in 11 innings against the host San Diego Padres last Tuesday, throwing a career-high 105 pitches.

Burns, 23, has not faced Arizona in his two-year MLB career.