(JULIE JACOBSON/AP)
Jay Bruce has been nothing short of a disappointment since joining this New York Mets club. Tuesday night, Terry Collins put the “star’ outfielder on notice.
In the eighth inning with runners on base and two outs, the Braves brought in lefty reliever, Ian Krol to pitch to Bruce. In an unlikely scenario, Collins pulled Bruce and inserted Eric Campbell of all people. Soup though would come through, helping the Mets to pull within one run.
It was the first time Bruce was ever pinch hit for in his career, he said last night. But what stung the most that Bruce, whose hit 237 home runs in his career, was pinch hit for by Campbell who has just seven career home runs.
“It’s one of the worst things you can do as a manager, pinch hit for a star, especially one of the elite power hitters in the game,” manager Collins said.
“But my job is to try to win the game. I know [Bruce] is struggling. I know he’s struggled with lefties. I talked to him the inning before and said, ‘Hey, if they bring out a lefty, I’ve got to [pinch] hit.’ That’s not a fun situation.”
Collins made the right move. Bruce was 0-for-3 on the night, and is now batting to a .176/.255/.289 slash line as a Met. He has just four homers and 11 RBI in 40 games since joining the team. Bruce was not happy with the move but understood why it happened.
“I always think I’m the best chance, but he’s the manager,” Bruce said. “I definitely didn’t draw it up like this. Coming over here, it’s been tough on me. Fortunately, the team has been playing really well, we’ve been winning games, we’re in a good spot when it comes to the playoff race.”
“I’m worried about the team, I’m worried about winning games. I have plenty of time to think about myself. Right now is not that time.”
It also was not just at the plate that Bruce failed on Tuesday. Miscommunication between himself and Curtis Granderson led to a bloop single that scored a run for the Braves. The one play where if it was made, could have led to a whole different ballgame Tuesday night.
Jay Bruce has been more Jason Bay since joining the Mets. It has been a disaster all around thus far. As the Mets enter a very important stretch run, Collins has some big decisions to make regarding his “star” outfielder. With just 11 games left to the season, it will be interesting to see how many of them will have Bruce in the starting lineup.
