The Mets can draw some inspiration for these final 10 games from the team that's chasing their crosstown rivals.

Only a year ago the Orioles were in last place in the American League East, but they finished the season taking 11 of their final 16 games. This year, they're in second in the division and look like they should be able to return to the playoffs. Quite a turnaround for one year.

"It'd be nice to finish on a strong note," David Wright said. "You look at, for example, what the Orioles did, they finished strong last year and it kind of carried over into this year. It'd be nice to do that. And I think there's a lot of individuals that want to finish strong and we as a team and an organization would like to finish strong."

While the Marlins are one of the worst teams in baseball, the weekend sweep was a much-needed boost for the Mets, who had lost nine straight games at home. With three more games left against the Marlins and four remaining against Pittsburgh, there's a chance to take the momentum from this series and try to finish the year on a positive note.

"It's great," Sunday's starting pitcher Chris Young sad of getting the sweep. "We needed that. We needed to bounce back after the tough series against Philly. "

WRIGHT GOES YARD: Terry Collins believes it's also important for Wright to end the season strong.

Wright got the Mets off to a hot start on Sunday with a first-inning two-run homer, his 19th, and picked up his 84th RBI. Wright is also just three hits away now from tying the team's record for hits and could break the record during the final home series.

"Obviously for me in the second half there's been some ups and downs and I feel like recently I've had some good at-bats and nothing to show for it," Wright said. "That's kind of the way it happens, sometimes law of averages kicks in at some points. [A] .350 [batting average] is tough to keep the entire year.

"I've felt good where I've been as far as the at-bats I've been having, disappointed in the results lately, haven't been seeing the results I've wanted to. I'm happy with the process and hopefully can finish strong."

YOUNG DOES WELL: Young received a no-decision for six innings of two-run ball.

"Chris has really been amazing," Collins said." I can't say enough of what kind of guy and how hard he's had to work. You look at that he's six months almost behind or eight months behind Johan [Santana] and pitching with the condition of his arm and keeps himself in tremendous shape and just knows what he's doing on the mound."