MIAMI — Curtis who?
The Mets might as well keep asking that question as they ponder the downward spiral of $60 million underachiever Curtis Granderson and the long-term prognosis for their outfield.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis took the reeling Granderson’s spot in right field Wednesday night and slugged a two-run homer that helped the Mets to their second straight victory, 4-3 over the Marlins.
Travis d’Arnaud’s RBI double in the eighth broke a 2-2 tie, after Jacob deGrom allowed one run on six hits over six innings.
The right-hander deGrom, who remains a solid contender for NL Rookie of the Year honors, allowed a run on Casey McGehee’s infield single in the third, but was close to untouchable for his final three innings.
Nieuwenhuis’ blast off Tom Koehler in the fourth gave the Mets a 2-1 lead before the Marlins tied the game on Christian Yelich’s RBI single in the seventh against lefty reliever Dario Alvarez in his major league debut.
D’Arnaud’s double in the eighth and Dilson Herrera’s RBI fielder’s choice scored the Mets’ final runs. Nieuwenhuis created the loudest thunder.
“I knew I hit it well, but in this park you never know,” said Nieuwenhuis, who reached the second deck in right field.
With Nieuwenhuis out of options after this season, the Mets are evaluating him in this final month to determine if he fits for 2015. Many of his opportunities to play could come at the disappointing Granderson’s expense.
“We have to find out about [Nieuwenhuis],” manager Terry Collins said.
Granderson, who was on the bench for a second time in four games, said he has a simple reason for not breaking bats in frustration over his second-half swoon.
“There’s never been a point in breaking bats — then I’ve got nothing to swing with the next at-bat,” he said.
Granderson’s season has progressed in a manner that would leave him responsible for killing half the trees in Yellowstone Park if he were a bat breaker.
Since Aug. 1, he is 16-for-118 (.136) with only two extra-base hits. That includes a 1-for-26 (.038) free fall in his last seven games.
Collins has mentioned the same factors all season as possibly affecting Granderson, ranging from the adjustment to playing half his games at spacious Citi Field to trying to learn National League pitchers after spending a decade in the American League.
“I know one thing, because of his demeanor he’s going to make adjustments he thinks he’s got to make to make sure next year is a better year,” Collins said. “All I’m trying to do is make sure the next 3 ½ weeks are better.”
Along the way, Granderson has been booted from the leadoff spot, giving Juan Lagares an opportunity to claim the job heading into next season. Granderson has a slash line of .210/.313/.354.
What would Granderson like to get from the remainder of this season?
“We’ve still got a lot of games left to play and be in a position as leader and a veteran guy on this team to play hard, have fun, enjoy,” Granderson said. “The guys who get called up in September, provide any information to them as needed and go out there and continue to play 100 percent like I always do.”
When the Mets signed Granderson, his potential to hit 25-30 homers a season was a significant factor. But Collins said Granderson, who entered play with 16 homers, might have to change his approach.
“I still feel we’ve got to, as we get into spring training — or even the last month — continue to think about trying to drive those balls in the middle of the field,” Collins said. “He can do that kind of damage and I saw those numbers at Comerica Park. He can become a doubles, triples [guy] and still hit home runs.”