(Sports Network) - The New York Mets attempt to complete a perfect seven-game road trip this afternoon, as they try and sweep a four-game series from the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

New York, which has never swept a four-game set in the Steel City, won its sixth straight game on Sunday, as Johan Santana pitched his second complete game and first shutout of the season, helping the Mets to a 4-0 win. Brian Schneider knocked in three runs with a two-run homer and an RBI single, while Carlos Beltran hit a solo shot and scored twice for the Mets, who have won nine of 11 and hold a two-game lead over Philadelphia for first place in the NL East.

Santana (11-7) allowed just three hits and no walks while fanning seven. The crafty lefty has allowed three runs or less in each of his last six starts and hasn't lost since a June 28 setback to the crosstown-rival Yankees.

New York's six-game road tear is its longest since a nine-game run from June 7-23, 2006.

Jeff Karstens (2-2) dropped his second straight start, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk while fanning three batters.

Pittsburgh managed just three hits, including two singles from Jack Wilson, as the club dropped its fifth game in the last six.

Getting the call for the Mets this afternoon will be righty John Maine, who will be making his second start following a stint on the disabled list. Maine gave up just one hit over five scoreless innings in his return on Wednesday against Washington, upping his mark on the season to 10-7, while lowering his earned run average to 3.97.

Maine is 2-2 lifetime against the Pirates with a 3.57 ERA in four starts.

Pittsburgh will counter with lefty Paul Maholm, who is 8-7 with a 3.69 ERA. Maholm defeated the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, as he gave up a pair of runs and seven hits in eight innings.

Maholm has faced the Mets four times and is 3-1 against them with a 2.16 ERA.

The Mets should have new reliever Luis Ayala on Monday. Ayala was acquired from the Nationals on Sunday for Anderson Hernandez. Ayala was just 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA in 62 outings for the Nationals this season.

Sunday's win gave New York victories in five of its last six visits to PNC Park. The Mets hold a slim 4-2 edge in this year's season series with the Pirates.