PHILADELPHIA — Gary Matthews Jr. hasn’t lost faith in his swing.
The slumping outfielder went 0-for-4 last night in the Mets’ 11-5 loss to the Phillies — dropping his average to .139 — but he said it’s only a matter of time before he begins contributing.
“What’s today’s date?” Matthews said. “I don’t know how many at-bats I have, but it’s not many. I always trust my ability.”
Matthews has 36 at-bats and is 0-for-13 over his last five games.
Manager Jerry Manuel gave Matthews last night’s start in the leadoff spot because he entered the game batting .304 lifetime against Jamie Moyer.
Manuel has no explanation for Matthews’ woes other than lack of playing time. Angel Pagan has emerged as the team’s everyday center fielder over the last two weeks, as much because of Matthews’ troubles as his own performance.
“Coming out of spring we were able to give [Matthews] a lot of at-bats consecutively, give him a couple of days here and there,” Manuel said. “Once the season starts you get that opportunity, but if there are no results you just go in a different direction.”
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Francisco Rodriguez got mop-up duty in the ninth inning after pitching only once over the previous week. Rodriguez remains stuck on three saves.
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Oliver Perez will return to the scene that set the stage for his disastrous 2009 season when he faces the Reds tonight in Cincinnati. He allowed eight earned runs over 4 1/3 innings last April 9 at the Great American Ballpark. Scott Rolen is a lifetime .450 hitter against Perez.
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Jeff Francoeur got hit in the left elbow by a Moyer pitch in the fourth inning, but remained in the game.
Francoeur was hit in the same spot two nights earlier by Danys Baez. Francoeur said he will wear an arm guard tonight as protection.