JUPITER, Fla. — Lucas Duda has struggled for consistency this spring, but finally seems at peace with the idea of hitting to the opposite field.
Yesterday that approach led to Duda hitting a two-run homer in the fourth inning that sparked the Mets’ 3-2 victory over the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.
Duda cleared the fence in left-center against Jake Westbrook. It was Duda’s third homer of the spring and most pronounced shot to the opposite field.
“That’s one of the biggest things of spring training that we’ve been trying to get from him, and before that,” manager Terry Collins said. “To get him to understand the great power he’s got to center field and to left-center field, and certainly it’s good to see it.”
Duda homered against Atlanta’s Tim Hudson on Friday, pulling the ball over the right-field fence. He is batting only .237 this spring.
*John Buck had flu-like symptoms and was told to stay away from the clubhouse by Collins. Anthony Recker took Buck’s spot on the traveling squad and handled catching duties behind Travis d’Arnaud.
* Bobby Parnell pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save of the Grapefruit League season. Parnell allowed a hit, but received help from Omar Quintanilla, who snared Daniel Descalso’s line drive and turned it into a double play.
Collins is satisfied with Parnell’s exhibition season. The right-hander has allowed nine hits in 8 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and two walks.
“Today he was working on his breaking ball, he knows you can’t just rear back and throw fastballs,” Collins said. “I think he’s throwing the ball very well and his demeanor on the mound is outstanding.”
* LaTroy Hawkins will have a definite rooting interest in the NCAA basketball tournament — he is godfather to Elijah Johnson, a star player for Kansas. Hawkins is a longtime friend of Johnson’s father.