Murphy makes most of starting chance
Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy throws out Colorado's Seth Smith (not pictured) at first in the top of the second inning. (Apr. 11, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
With Brad Emaus mired in an 0-for-10 slump and batting .174 with one RBI in eight games entering Monday night, Mets manager Terry Collins decided to give Daniel Murphy his second career start at second base.
"I've got to get Murph some games," Collins said before the Mets faced the Rockies. "In spring training, we told him he was going to be in the mix to play second base and we wanted to get Brad a legitimate opportunity to show us what he can do. I think we are doing that. But . . . we've got to keep our players in the lineup a little bit so when we do pinch hit them or use them in certain roles, they've had some at-bats."
Murphy, who had 14 at-bats entering the game, said he's feeling good at the plate and wasn't worried about playing the field. He singled and scored the Mets' initial run in the first inning, going 1-for-5 on the night. He also gunned down Seth Smith at the plate in the second, then made a beautiful diving play in the hole to retire Carlos Gonzalez leading off the fifth.
"From the beginning," Murphy said, "I've wanted to be one of those 25 [guys] and now hopefully I can prove it on a consistent basis . . . that I can help us win ballgames."
Bay watch
Collins still isn't sure when Jason Bay, put on the disabled list March 31 with a strained left rib cage, will return to the mix.
"I don't have a crystal ball to tell you how he's going to feel tomorrow," Collins said. "But I know he took BP again. I know he's feeling better. Would I like to see him in a game in St. Lucie? Probably yes. In a perfect world, I'd love to see him in Atlanta [this weekend]. I can't say that's going to happen. But I can dream like anybody else."
