MILWAUKEE — Alex Cora doesn’t mind the extra playing time, but doesn’t know if the Mets are better for it.
With Luis Castillo battling a bone bruise in his right foot, Cora has become a semi-regular member of the starting lineup. Cora got the call last night, going 1-for-4 in the Mets’ 2-0 loss to the Brewers. Castillo is expected to start the final two games of the series.
Cora said he likes the playing time, but not at the expense of losing Castillo from the lineup.
“You want Louie to be 100 percent, and we all know what Louie Castillo can do when he’s healthy,” Cora said. “He’s been battling through a few things, and he’s still doing a great job for us.”
Cora has been among the team’s best clutch hitters, but couldn’t produce in a big spot last night, hitting into a double play with the bases loaded in the third inning against Yovani Gallardo.
*
According to an organizational source, the Mets are in no hurry to bring back Daniel Murphy as he hones his skills at multiple positions for Triple-A Buffalo.
Murphy will have to “force the issue” with his play to regain a roster spot, the source said, or the Mets will need to see a drop-off in Chris Carter‘s performance to consider Murphy. The Mets plan to have Murphy, who is recovering from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, play first base exclusively for at least the next week at Buffalo before giving him action at second base and third base.
*
The Mets’ streak of 35 scoreless innings — snapped by Corey Hart‘s two-run homer in the ninth — was the second-longest in franchise history. The Mets went 42 innings without allowing a run from Sept. 24-28 of 1969, which included four straight shutouts.
*
Rod Barajas showed no effects from the wrist injury he sustained on Wednesday, returning to the lineup with a 2-for-3 performance last night.
*
Mets starting pitchers are 6-0 with a 1.07 ERA over their last 11 games, dating to May 17. It is the lowest ERA in the major leagues over that stretch.