Beltran, Church Homer Back-to-Back in Mets' Win

Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning to support Oliver Perez and lead the New York Mets to an 8-3 victory today over the bumbling Cincinnati Reds. Reflecting their inconsistent offense, the Mets hadn't hit back-to-back home runs this season before Saturday. They've now done it twice in two days. Perez (3-3) got his first win since April 19.

Reds shortstop Jeff Keppinger had a hit in seven straight at-bats before striking out in the eighth. The Mets have had at least 11 hits in four of their last five games. Perez went six innings, striking out eight, while Reds rookie Johnny Cueto fell to 2-4 after giving up four earned runs on eight hits, three walks and five strikeouts. (More New York Mets stories.)