For now, Mets' OF silences critics

From Day 1 of spring training, the Mets outfield has been the butt of jokes.

At least for one game, the starting trio of Lucas Duda, Collin Cowgill and Marlon Byrd must be taken seriously.

The three combined for a 4 for 12 day with 6 RBIs at the plate, including Cowgill’s grand slam and double, in Monday’s 11-2 win over the Padres. Duda also walked twice.

“It’s a great start,” Cowgill said Monday. “We haven’t won anything yet. We’ve got one game under our belt but we’re going to continue to try to build off the momentum that we had today.”

Manager Terry Collins spoke highly of his outfielders, especially his centerfielder.

“I’m not sure if I’ve been around a guy who competes like [Cowgill] does,” Collins said. “It is max effort in practice. It’s max effort in the games.”

Clearly, one shouldn’t expect him to keep up the current pace of 324 steals in 2013.

“I doubt that I’ll have two steals Wednesday,” Wright said, referring to the Mets’ second game of the season today, “but I will try.”

The stolen bases came in the first and third innings, and Padres catcher Nick Hundley did not attempt a throw in either case.

“It’s about trying to swipe bags at the right time,” Wright said.