The scene that played out in the Mets clubhouse late Sunday afternoon was exasperation and frustration colliding head-on.
Jason Bay had completed a ghastly 0-for-4 day, complete with a misplayed fly ball, in the Mets’ series finale loss to Philadelphia and Citi Field loudly expressed its displeasure.
“It’s not the first time. Imagine how frustrated the fans are, do you think that I enjoy it? Do you think I’m enjoying what I’m doing out there?” Bay said. “I’m more frustrated than anybody.”
Bay was signed to a four-year, $66 million contract in December 2009 to provide a potent outfield bat to a team was coming off of a 70-92 season in which it collectively hit .270 but only 95 home runs. Bay has underwhelmed. He is hitting .248 (82-for-600) with 12 homers and 75 RBI in 163 games spanning the 2010 and 2011 campaigns. In 68 games this year, he has a .234 batting average, six home runs and 28 RBI.
What has gnawed at Bay and the Mets in recent days is that he appeared to have battled through the slump prior to the seven-game California road trip that ended their first half. In a 17 game span from June 16 and July 5, Bay hit .352 (24-for-68) with four homers, 16 RBI and 13 runs scored. Since then he is 3-for-his-last-30 with only one run scored.
“Right now, the results aren’t great, aren’t there, but I don’t feel as lost as I was early on,” Bay said. “I feel like I’m having good at-bats. You don’t want to say it’s close all the time but I feel like I’m in a better place even though I’m not getting those hits.”
So now the question is if, or when, Terry Collins sits his left fielder.
“I don’t think after the (All-Star) break, the way Jason swung before the break and having a four-day week, he needs rest,” Collins said. “He needs to play. He needs to play to get back to where he was before the break.”
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