Cincinnati @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2011 ) Cincinnati 6, NY Mets 5

THE STORY: The final games of the season for teams without playoff aspirations are often about judging where younger players fit in an organization's future plans. Chris Heisey gave the Cincinnati Reds something to think about Monday when he hit a go-ahead three-run homer an inning after making a diving catch to save at least one run in a 6-5 victory over the New York Mets. Heisey and the Reds will try to pick up where they left off when the three-game series continues Tuesday in New York.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (9-12, 5.09 ERA) vs. Mets LH Chris Capuano (11-12, 4.55).

Arroyo tossed his first complete game of the season Wednesday against Houston with a six-hit shutout. It was his first win since Aug. 24. Arroyo needs nine innings pitched to reach 200 for the seventh consecutive season. Three of his 12 career complete games have come against the Mets. Arroyo is 7-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 12 starts against New York. The Mets have won Capuano's last two starts, but he was not effective in his last outing, allowing four runs in 4 2/3 innings of an 8-6 victory at St. Louis on Thursday. Capuano beat the Reds on July 28 in Cincinnati despite allowing six runs in 5 1/3 innings, but he has only two wins in 10 starts since. In 11 starts and three relief stints against the Reds, Capuano is 3-3 with a 5.23 ERA.

ABOUT THE REDS (78-82): The Reds have won two straight and improved to 28-33 in one-run games Monday. Heisey, often the odd man out in a crowded outfield, made a plea for more playing time with his 18th homer in 271 at-bats and the diving catch to rob David Wright and strand two runners in the sixth.

ABOUT THE METS (76-84): While the Mets were losing their 84th game Monday, leadoff man Jose Reyes moved a step closer to winning the franchise's first batting title. Reyes went 3-for-4 to raise his average to .334 and pull even with Milwaukee's Ryan Braun for the National League lead. Reyes is 9-for-33 (.273) against Arroyo. The Mets have lost 10 of their last 13 home games.

FINAL PITCH: Arroyo has allowed a franchise record 44 home runs, 13 more than he allowed in any of his previous 11 major league seasons.