Let the good times roll! The first-place Mets are winners of seven in a row and completed their third consecutive series sweep Sunday by topping the Pirates 8-4 at Citi Field thanks in part to some more stout starting pitching. Colleague Kevin Kernan writes that Carlos Beltran is quickly emerging as the best player in New York.

Jerry Manuel says catcher Omir Santos, who had another big day, looks like a keeper.

In the notes, reliever Sean Green is struggling so much that he appears to have been reduced to a mop-up role.