WASHINGTON — Travis d’Arnaud might have been guilty of worrying too much about results over his first two weeks in the major leagues.
A night after recording his first career two-hit game, the rookie catcher remained hot with a 2-for-4 performance in the Mets’ 11-3 demolition of the Nationals last night.
“I’m just focused on hitting the ball hard instead of getting a hit,” said d’Arnaud, who is batting .194 with a homer and three RBIs in 36 at-bats. “I think the first few games I was worried about getting hits so much that it just tightened me up and got me really stiff.”
Manager Terry Collins said d’Arnaud has progressed.
“He’s swinging the bat much better,” Collins said. “The more he catches, the better we see him. He’s blocking the ball better, really a good receiver of the ball, he’s throwing good, the bat is coming alive. We’re starting to see really good signs.”
* Matt den Dekker started in center field, moving Juan Lagares to right. But Collins said Lagares will remain as the primary center fielder.
“[Lagares] is going to go back and play center field,” Collins said. “But I just think the days Matt plays, I know Juan has played on the corners, when he got here. Matt has played two games on the corners. I just don’t think it’s fair for Matt to play anyplace but where he’s most comfortable when he’s in the lineup.”
Lagares threw out Bryce Harper attempting to stretch a double into a triple in the eighth inning. The outfield assist was Lagares’ 12th — tying him with Tsuyoshi Shinjo for the franchise rookie record, set in 2001.
* Vic Black, the reliever acquired by the Mets as part of the deal that sent Marlon Byrd and John Buck to the Pirates, is expected to join the team for tonight’s game. Robert Carson is returning to Triple-A Las Vegas to give the 51s bullpen depth for the Pacific Coast League playoffs.
* Scott Rice has stranded 40 of 47 inherited runners, which ranked third among NL relievers entering last night.