Collins staying with Francisco as Mets closer

Frank Francisco's job description hasn't changed; he's still the Mets' closer.

After Francisco couldn't get the job done on Saturday and had a hiccup for the second straight day, manager Terry Collins left open the possibility of switching things up with his late-inning relievers. However, Collins met with Francisco before yesterday's game against the Giants was washed out and decided he was sticking with him as his ninth-inning guy.

"I just went to him this morning and said, 'You got to hang in there,' " Collins said. "You know, he's disappointed. He's mad at me 'cause I took him out, which is a common thing that happens. And I certainly don't blame him. If I were in his shoes, I'd be mad, too."

Francisco, who has pitched in only one save situation since the season's opening series, said he didn't have any issues with Collins' decision to pull him Saturday.

"He's right. I mean, it don't matter what I think," Francisco said. "You got a boss, right? He's my boss. So he makes the last call. Whatever he decides to get that 'W,' that's all that matters."

Francisco thinks he found the root of the problem with pitching coach Dan Warthen Sunday. He hasn't pitched frequently this season, and Francisco believes his inconsistencies stemmed from something he was doing wrong in his delivery. He's been flying open.

"It was a little bit my mechanics," he said. "It wasn't anything big. Whatever he told me worked really good because after that, I was throwing the ball where I wanted to."

Growing pains for Kirk

Collins said he didn't have a chat with rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis Sunday, the day after his inability to make a game-ending catch almost cost the Mets a win.

"I didn't because he's a young guy," Collins said. "To be honest, he was in the right spot. He had a long way to go. And that time of day is really tough, as we've seen before."

Extra bases

Tickets marked Monday, April 23 (Game 10) will be valid for both games of today's doubleheader. Tickets from yesterday's rainout can be exchanged Monday at Citi Field ticket windows. The Tom Seaver bobblehead giveaway has been rescheduled for May 5 . . . Collins said he's confident that Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, whom he considers a good friend, "will right the ship. There's no doubt in my mind."