ATLANTA — After delivering a double, homer and single in successive at-bats yesterday, Lucas Duda had no illusions of becoming the latest Mets player to hit for the cycle.
“I don’t know if you know, but I’m not the fastest guy on the field,” Duda said after the Mets beat the Braves 5-2 at Turner Field. “Something might have had to happen: The outfielder might have had to fall down and trip, fall down again and then fall down again before I get a triple.”
Duda finished 3-for-5 — his fourth game this season with three or more hits. The Mets remain interested in how he fares playing full-time at first base in Ike Davis’ absence.
Before going on the disabled list in June with a strained intercostal muscle, Duda appeared comfortable at the position, which translated into better at-bats.
“I’m much more comfortable at first and that kind of takes the pressure off my defense,” Duda said. “It’s just comfort level, I guess.”
Duda, who made his debut in 2010, is yet to play a full season in the major leagues. And he has wondered what it would be like to go start-to-finish.
“I would like to play a full season, but things happen, you get hurt or sent down or whatever it is,” he said. “That’s part of the game.”
The Mets are hopeful David Wright [right hamstring] will resume baseball activities early next week, but with the minor league affiliates nearing conclusions to their seasons, the third baseman likely won’t have a chance to play in a rehab game.
“He’s determined to get back, and we’re determined to try to get him back,” manager Terry Collins said. “If he’s ready to play, we’ve got to get him back here.”
Davis received a cortisone shot after having his strained right oblique examined, but Collins said there probably won’t be enough games remaining for the first baseman to return from the injury, which generally requires three weeks of rest.
Andrew Brown’s first-inning home run gave him a career-high six homers. Brown hit five homers last season with the Rockies.