Manuel counsels Francoeur to simplify hitting keys

MILWAUKEE - Jeff Francoeur is one of the most talkative members of the Mets, but when it comes to hitting, manager Jerry Manuel told him Saturday in a closed-door meeting that he has been listening to too much outside advice.

"I think I'm grinding so hard, trying to win," Francoeur said. "I think I have to get back to one simple approach and that's take the barrel to the ball. I'm so much better than what I'm doing, and that's what's frustrating."

Francoeur was hitting .218 heading into yesterday's game and .192 (10-for-52) with runners in scoring position. Before the 20-inning game in St. Louis, Francoeur was batting .457, but he took an 0-for-7 that day and has been in a .154 funk (20-for-130) ever since.

When asked whom he had been consulting, Francoeur mentioned Braves catcher Brian McCann, his close friend, as well as others inside the Mets' clubhouse. After the conversation with Manuel, he pledged to cut back to just the manager and hitting coach Howard Johnson, who along with Gary Sheffield were instrumental in his turnaround after his trade to the Mets.

"No, I haven't talked to Sheff," Francoeur said. "I don't know what Sheff's doing. He might be in the Bahamas. He never changed from what he was - he knew exactly what type of hitter he was and for me, that's what I'm looking for."

Manuel has faith that cutting out extra chatter will help Francoeur.

"I think he does take in a lot of information, and how he processes that may be a little different than what we like to see," Manuel said.

Extra bases

Willie Randolph, now the Brewers' bench coach, left the team Saturday and traveled to South Carolina after the death of his father . . . Jon Niese completed his bullpen session Saturday in Port St. Lucie and is scheduled to start for Triple-A Buffalo Monday. He is eligible to come off the DL on Friday, which could mean a start next weekend against the Marlins at Citi Field.