The Reds had won just four of 10 games before traveling to Tall Town to face last year's Nationa League champions for a three-game weekend series.

Turns out playing the Mets was just what Cincinnati needed to get well again.

They completed a sweep of the three-game series Sunday with a 3-1 win at Shea Stadium when Jim Brower (1-0), recalled earlier in the day from Louisville (Class AAA), pitched into the sixth inning, scattered six hits and did not allow an earned run.

It continued a string of strong starts by the Reds' staff and on Sunday the bullpen gave the club a lift.

Dennys Reyes entered in the sixth with two outs and runners on the corners and the Reds ahead, 3-1 and then struck out pinch-hitter Jorge Toca to end the inning.

It was the first time the Reds swept a three-game series in New York since June of 1999. Cincinnati has won three of the last four series at Shea Stadium.

New York on their minds

After getting battered and beaten so far on their road trip -- losing four of six to Milwaukee and Pittsburgh -- the road doesn't get any easier as the Reds travel to Shea Stadium for a three-game weekend set with the New York Mets.

The Mets were swept this week on the road by Montreal, but found the confines of Shea more to their liking, taking two of three from the Atlanta Braves.

The Reds have had some success in New York, going 5-4 against the Mets last season, including 3-3 at Shea.

The key to Cincinnati's success this weekend might be slowing down New York third baseman Robin Ventura. Ventura had three home runs and six RBI last year against the Reds, and is off to a torrid start this season. He's hitting .323 with two homers and six RBI.

Probable pitchers for the Reds are Osvaldo Fernandez (Friday), Chris Reitsma (Saturday) and Elmer Dessens (Sunday). The Mets will send out Steve Trachsel, Al Leiter and Kevin Appier.

It's the only trip to Shea this season for the Reds. After the New York series, the Reds return home for two against Milwaukee (the Brewers swept three from the Reds to open Miller Park April 6-8), then the Mets return the favor by coming to Cinergy Field for three games.

GRIFFEY UPDATE: The Reds are targeting sometime next week for center fielder Ken Griffey's return to the lineup. Griffey has been shelved since March 26 with a strained left hamstring.

Griffey has been limited to pinch-hit duties. He's 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Manager Bob Boone said he hoped to have Griffey in the lineup when the Reds return home Tuesday, April 17.

Griffey injured his hamstring a week before the end of spring training. It was touch and go whether he would play on Opening Day, by no one expected him out this long.

Boone has decided to play it cautiously because of cold weather.

"He's got to show me he can run,'' Boone said.

"In my mind, I'd feel good if he was going to play after this road trip,'' Boone told the reporters. "If I get him in before that, I'll feel grateful."

Boone will err on the side of caution, even given the medical opinion.

"It's all done with a crystal ball, with any (muscle) pull," Boone said. "You just never know."

NO RAMON: The Reds talked with free agent right-hander Ramon Martinez. But things broke off after Reds general manager Jim Bowden would not promise him an immediate spot in the starting rotation.

"We were not able to sign Ramon. They (Martinez and his agent) required he go directly to the big leagues," Bowden said.

NO JUSTIN: Justin Atchley has got to feel a little cursed. The Reds told him he had made the Opening Day roster. Only to tell him the next day he hadn't. Boone instead took Wilton Guerrero north because, with Griffey out, he said he needed a position player more than a 12th pitcher.

Then Atchley was called up Friday. He even pitched in two games.

"When we brought Atchley up Friday, we entered the transaction into the computer in the commissioner's office. The computer accepted the transaction," Bowden said. "He pitched Saturday and nothing happened; he pitched Sunday and nothing happened."

Monday something happened. The commissioner's office voided the transaction.

The reason: A player released between Aug. 31 and Opening Day becomes ineligible to re-sign with that same team before May 15. The Reds took Atchley off the 40-man roster Jan.9, when they signed catcher Kelly Stinnett and Guerrero as free agents. They released him and re-signed him Jan. 22.

REVOLVING DOOR: The Reds have been shipping players to and from Triple-A Louisville at an alarming rate so far this season. They sent fifth starter Rob Bell back April 7. Boone wanted to keep him on regular rotation during the span when the Reds have five off days.

Atchley replaced him until that move was nixed.

The Reds recalled LHP Hector Mercado to replace Atchley. Mercado was 1-0 and did not allow a run in three appearances at Louisville.

They also called first baseman D.T. Cromer. Cromer was hitting .350 with two home runs and eight RBI in five games for the RiverBats.

Guerrero was sent out to make room for Cromer.

"We've always liked Cromer's bat,'' Bowden said.

The Reds also brought up right-hander Scott Winchester when Scott Williamson tore a tendon in his elbow and was lost for the season.

QUOTEWORTHY: Prognosticator Dmitri Young after Sean Casey hit the first home run in PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Casey's hometown: "I told you," Young repeated. "For some reason, fate has it. He had a home-cooked meal. He got Mom's home cooking, slept in his childhood bed and saw a couple of childhood friends."

STAT CORNER: Leadoff man Barry Larkin reached base in 19 of his first 31 plate appearances this year (11 hits, 7 walks, 1 error). Larkin and Young were supposed to bat 1-2 in the order. Because of Griffey's injury, that hasn't happened often, but when it has they are hitting a combined .358. . . The Reds entered Wednesday with their streak of avoiding shutouts at 171. The Phillies hold the National League record of 174. They've only been shutout once -- 5-0 by Al Leiter and the New York Mets in a one -game playoff -- since May 1, 1999. If they tie and break the NL record, it will be against the Mets. ... The Reds haven't had a winning record in April since they went 15-7 in 1994.

FAST FACT: Young went 1,850 plate appearances without a sacrifice before bunting Michael Tucker to third Monday. Young came up with no outs and acted on his own. It worked. Sean Casey, the man who was hitting after Young, singled through a drawn-in infield. Young was 0-for-his-last-10 coming up. "In that situation, Casey's definitely swinging the bat well and I'm struggling a little bit," Young said. "I went over to Casey and told him, "Hey, I'm going to get you that run.''