GRAND FUNK
Mets can’t snap out of it as Murph slam buries them early
Before the game, Mets manager Terry Collins praised veteran Asdrubal Cabrera for his willingness to play hurt, his ability to stay on the field and the effect that has on teammates.
“Anytime you watch a veteran player who’s a star, play the game what I consider the correct way, it should rub off,” Collins said approvingly of Cabrera. “For me, it doesn’t take any ability to give you some effort.”
It took Cabrera all of two batters to show it again Sunday in the Mets’ 6-3 loss to the Nationals at Citi field.
In the first inning, Ca- brera was moving to cover second when Nationals shortstop Trea Turner sent a ball to the left side of the infield. Cabrera dove back to his right, gloved the ball, scrambled to his feet and threw to first. Turner was safe. Cabrera was hurting.
“I hit my knee with the dirt when I went down and I cut myself [on the ankle] with my spike, too, so that is what happened,” Cabrera said. “I cut to second base for the stealer and it was tough to come back.
“That happens in this game a lot. You always have something, but I feel good, so I will be ready for Tuesday”
Collins and the Mets training staff ran toward Cabrera, but the 31-yearold veteran waved them back. After a quick conference, Cabrera played on, played what Collins called the right way, played in a way that rubs off on teammates.
“Those guys see that in him and they know. Those guys in that clubhouse, they know how he’s feeling. But he’s a baseball player, this guy,” Collins said.
Even though Cabrera probably warranted a few days off to get his achy left hamstring feeling better, Collins had his baseball player hitting second Sunday. Cabrera has provided leadership and a steady hand at short for the Mets since they signed him be- fore last season. He brings more than that leadership.
Cabrera carried a .282 average — and that included 7-of-8, a major league best .875 — with runners in scoring position going into Sunday.
“He is special to me,” said Collins, who went through a laundry list of what makes Cabrera special.
“First of all, he’s very, very smart. He knows the game extremely well,” Collins said. “That’s why you see him do some things that he does, like hit the ball the other way against the shift or bunt when you need a bunt. And his presence in the clubhouse, he is not afraid to say something.”