MLB

Mets try another day off for brutal Bay

MILWAUKEE — Jason Bay is officially on another break as he attempts to mend his broken swing — and psyche.

The beleaguered Mets left fielder was absent from last night’s starting lineup against the Brewers, and is expected to also sit tonight, when he makes his first return to PNC Park since getting traded from the Pirates to the Red Sox in 2008.

“I’m just giving him some time off,” manager Terry Collins said before the Bay-less Mets beat the Brewers, 4-1.

BOX SCORE

“We talked [Wednesday] night and visited about the whole process about getting him going, and I just thought, right now, give him a break for a couple of days.”

Bay arrived at Miller Park in an 0-for-23 skid that had lowered his batting average to .207 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.

He appeared overmatched in the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Brewers a day earlier, striking out in his final two at-bats. Collins gave Bay a day off last Sunday against the Braves with the idea the player might get rejuvenated,

But little, if anything, has changed.

Bay indicated he was completely on board with the decision to sit out until at least tomorrow. Jason Pridie started in left field last night.

“The biggest thing is the mental break, but also with the way I’m going right now, I’m not really helping a lot out there,” Bay said. “You get some other guys in there and give them a chance.”

Collins said he intends to keep Bay as the starting left fielder and has no plans to start a platoon.

*

Dillon Gee has eliminated a few more skeptics with each start for the Mets.

The rookie righty is scheduled to get the ball tonight in Pittsburgh, where he’ll attempt to keep a perfect record intact. The Mets have won all eight games this season started by Gee, who is 6-0 with a 3.33 ERA.

Not bad for a pitcher who supposedly didn’t throw hard enough to make it in the big leagues.

“I feel like there’s still going to be people with doubt, because I’m not the flashy guy, because I’m not out there blowing people away,” Gee said.

“That’s fine — I understand it. I don’t want to say I’ve earned anything yet, but as long as I keep going out there and putting up consistent starts, that’s what I’m focused on.”

Gee pitched seven shutout innings to beat the Braves last Saturday at Citi Field and has emerged as the most dependable pitcher in manager Terry Collins’ rotation.

Just don’t count Collins among those who doubted Gee’s ability.

“Actually, [Gee] has lived up to everything I thought he would be,” Collins said. “When you see a guy like that pitch and you see that command, you say if his command ever gets really sharp, he’s going to be effective, and that’s exactly what he’s done.

“He throws harder than people give him credit for, because you see the 88 and 89 [mph], but he can get it up there to 92 when he has to.”

*

Lucas Duda will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and start in left field tonight against the Pirates, according to

an industry source. To clear roster space, Nick Evans was designated for assignment.

Duda also likely will see action at first base this weekend, allowing Collins to shift Daniel Murphy to third base, giving Justin Turner a rest. Turner snapped an 0-for-12 drought by getting two hits last night.

*

Francisco Rodriguez indicated he’s added a few pounds — after initially losing 15 following the removal of two teeth last week. Rodriguez said he’s about 194 pounds, down from 206. But he said he’s had more energy lately. Rodriguez got the final four outs last night and earned his 18th save in 19 chances.