So far, so good without Carlos Beltran. On the same day when the Mets traded away one of their best players in decades, they went out and continued to hit like he never left, pounding the Reds 8-2 for their 3rd straight victory.

David Wright has to step up with the departure of Carlos Beltran. If Wednesday night was any indication, he should be just fine as the team's top slugger.

David Wright had the biggest blow, a 3-run homer to center field in the 7th that  broke the game open and gave the Mets an 8-1 lead. Wright went 2-4 with 4 RBI on the night, as he continues his torrid hitting since coming back from the DL. He is 12-28 with 2 homeruns and 11 RBI in just 6 games.

The tying run was in scoring position. The winning run was on 1st. The bases were loaded with 2 outs, and the Mets held a slim 4-2 lead. The capacity crowd in Cincinnati was on its feet as Brandon Phillips tried to play hero. But the veteran closer Jason Isringhausen buckled down and struck out Phillips on 3 pitches to end the game, preserve the win for R.A. Dickey, and pick up career save number 296.

It was an entertaining game to watch from start to finish between 2 even teams. The Mets and Reds both entered the night with identical 50-51 records, and it was nothing but zeros early as a pitcher’s duel emerged between Dickey and Mike Leake.

It was a well deserved 5th win for the quirky, yet effective R.A. Dickey.