By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

NEW YORK - Reds manager Bob Boone has a new problem.

"I've got to figure out a way to get these relievers work," he said. "I haven't had much practice at that."

Paul Wilson went seven innings in the Reds' 8-5 victory over the Mets Sunday.

That came after complete games by Danny Graves and Jose Acevedo Friday and Saturday - the first for the Reds in back-to-back games since September.

Boone thinks it will help the bullpen in the long run.

"We've seen that they're better when they're rested," he said.

HOW SWEET: Wilson's win Sunday was the first against his former club. The Mets drafted Wilson first overall in 1994.

"It was nice," Wilson said. "It was nice being there."

Wilson had pitched against the Mets twice before - once in relief for Tampa Bay, and a start for the Reds July 6. In the July game, he went seven innings and left leading 5-2, but was a victim of a blown save in a 7-5 loss.

DAD GETS A SAVE: Scott Williamson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 21st save Sunday.

Routine saves are a rare thing for Williamson. But he had special motivation Sunday. His child, Scott Reece, was born on Friday.

"I wanted to get it over with and get home," Williamson said.

Williamson had blown four of seven save chances and two straight before Sunday.

Sunday's save was his 21st of the season but his first since July 2.

"(Bullpen coach Tom Hume) told me to go get one for Reece," Williamson said. "That's what I did."

WILY MO BETTER: Wily Mo Pena had a big night for Louisville in Saturday's doubleheader. Pena went 3-for-7 with two home runs and five RBI. He's hitting .316 11 games into his 20-game rehab assignment at Louisville.

REMINDER: The Reds play the Philadelphia Phillies today at 12:35 p.m.

The game is a make-up for the June 15 rainout. Only parking passes labeled "Rain Check #1" will be honored.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com