Kirk Nieuwenhuis has done it all for the Mets in two weeks on the job in center field. His next test could be playing against lefty starters.
Manager Terry Collins is toying with the idea of giving Nieuwenhuis the start tonight against Giants lefty Barry Zito. Bolstering Nieuwenhuis’ case is the fact lefties hit .294 against Zito last season.
The rookie Nieuwenhuis raised his batting average to .375 with a homer and three RBIs with his 3-for-4 performance against the Braves on Wednesday that included his first stolen base.
“When you’re a rookie in the big leagues, one of the things you have to gain is some confidence,” Collins said. “I think with every game Kirk is believing he belongs here and he can play here.”
Nieuwenhuis is 2-for-7 (.286) against lefties this season. The Giants also have a lefty, Madison Bumgarner, scheduled to start on Monday. Scott Hairston has played in Nieuwenhuis’ place against most lefties.
* According to a club official, Darryl Strawberry might appear at Citi Field during this homestand to honor David Wright, who needs one RBI to become the franchise’s all-time leader. Wright drove in three runs on Wednesday against the Braves to tie Strawberry’s club record of 733 RBIs. The team official said a celebration involving Strawberry won’t come until after Wright moves alone into first place.
* The first 25,000 fans attending Sunday’s game at Citi Field will receive a free Tom Seaver bobblehead as part of the franchise’s 50th anniversary celebration. The Mets will have bobblehead giveaways later in the year depicting Rusty Staub, Keith Hernandez, Edgardo Alfonzo and Mike Piazza.
* R.A. Dickey will join former knuckleballers Tim Wakefield and Charlie Hough at tomorrow’s free screening of the documentary “Knuckleball!” The movie will be shown at 8:15 p.m. at the Tribeca Film Festival.