Cuddyer leaving bad start behind

Michael Cuddyer knows how he has felt at the plate, but he also knows the numbers, and knows they are how he will be judged. After a perfect day at the plate in the Mets’ 5-0 win over St. Louis, they look a little better, and he can feel a little better.

Cuddyer went 3-for-3 with a walk Thursday at Citi Field. Though his . 253 average is modest by his standards — entering play it was the lowest batting average of his career through 39 games — Cuddyer is getting back to the kind of results he’s used to.

“It feels good. You tend to look at results, and they fluctuate. The last [week], I’d say this whole homestand, I felt good. Fortunately [Randall] Grichuk didn’t Superman catch me on that first one,” Cuddyer said, referring to the Cardinals center fielder who robbed John Mayberry Jr. of a hit in the second inning with a highlight-reel diving catch, then doubled Cuddyer off first base.

“And then the other two found grass. That’s what I’ve been preaching, that’s baseball.’’

Cuddyer, who walked in the second inning, managed to drop a single just in front of Grichuk in the fourth. He singled up the middle in the sixth and then to right in the eighth.

Suddenly, a player who was hitting an uncharacteristic .233 a week ago had reached base in seven straight games, hitting .346 along the way.

“I feel a little better,’’ Cuddyer said. “I don’t really tinker with mechanics too much. There’s a few things you I can do in the cage that will free you up a little bit, and we’re getting you that point. But ultimately, you look at the box score, and that’s how you say if a guy is hot or not.’’

Said Lucas Duda: “Cuddy’s hitting the ball well. He hit the ball well [Wednesday] night, but right at them. I think we’re getting rolling here offensively, and that will just help us. It should be fun.’’