Sticks and stones will break David Wright’s bones, but who cares about boos?
Wright was Public Enemy No. 1 last night at PNC Park, after originally not picking the Pirates’ Pedro Alvarez for the upcoming Home Run Derby at Citi Field. Wright selected Alvarez on Wednesday to replace the Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez, who has a sore thumb, but that wasn’t good enough for Pirates fans, who booed the Mets captain all night.
“It’s kind of cool they’re that passionate about their players,” Wright said after the Mets’ 3-2 loss in 11 innings. “But I’m not going to lose any sleep getting booed a couple of games in Pittsburgh, that’s for sure.”
Wright made it clear that Alvarez, who grew up in Washington Heights, is worthy of a spot on the NL team. Wright, Bryce Harper and Michael Cuddyer are the NL’s other participants.
Alvarez hit a two-run blast against Jeremy Hefner in the first inning last night for his 24th home run.
“I thought Pedro was very deserving,” Wright said. “He was deserving from the start. After talking to him, I knew how excited he was and how much he wanted to do this. I’m glad he was kind of the next in line for me to ask, but [24] homers doesn’t hurt either.”
* Backup catcher Anthony Recker had the night off until Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen objected.
With Hefner on the mound, Warthen’s request that Recker get the start behind the plate instead of John Buck didn’t fall on deaf ears.
“Recker has been catching Hef the last three times, he’s pitched great,” manager Terry Collins said. “Just leave it alone, so we did.”
Recker finished 1-for-4 with three strikeouts, while Hefner allowed just two runs on three hits in seven innings.
* Collins said he expects to give Hefner the start for the first game after the All-Star break, on Friday at Citi Field against the Phillies. Matt Harvey, who threw a bullpen session before the game and remains in play for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, is expected to pitch Sunday against the Phillies, with Zack Wheeler getting the Saturday start.