Reyes, fresh off his three-hit performance in the All-Star game, led off the bottom of the first with his fifth homer and Gotay followed with his fourth, both against Bronson Arroyo (3-10). It was the third time this season that the Mets hit back-to-back homers but the first time ever the team opened that way.
It was a strong start in the first game since New York dismissed hitting coach Rick Down and added Rickey Henderson to the coaching staff. It has not been decided whether Henderson or first base coach Howard Johnson will replace Down, but Johnson filled the role against Cincinnati.
New York also jettisoned 48-year-old Julio Franco, who hit only .200 in 50 at-bats with one home run and eight RBIs, and promoted Lastings Milledge from the minors.
Orlando Hernandez (5-4) allowed three hits and two runs in six innings to earn the win in the first game after the break. He struck out seven and walked three.
Scott Hatteberg hit a two-run single in the second to tie it at 2 but the Mets went in front for good in the fifth.
Milledge, who got the start in left field, led off with a single. Arroyo then retired Hernandez and Reyes before Gotay's drive fell just in front of diving center fielder Ryan Freel.
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