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One of the pressing priorities for Mets Manager Terry Collins these days has been getting Eric Campbell more at-bats against left-handed pitchers.
Mostly seen as a utility player on the bench, Campbell has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets since being called up from Class AAA Las Vegas, compiling a .298 batting average entering Friday, a mark that ranked second on the team. Collins believed Campbell, a 27-year-old rookie who is not considered a top prospect, had done enough to earn more playing time.
Collins’s hunch paid off Friday as Campbell hit a decisive three-run homer in the fourth inning of the Mets’ 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field.
“I’m learning how to go about it,” Campbell said of his utility role. “I’m getting better every day with the situation I’m in.”
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The fourth inning began with Travis Wood, the Cubs’ left-handed starter, walking David Wright and Lucas Duda. After a Travis d’Arnaud flyout, Campbell launched a ball over the left-field fence.
Mets starter Zack Wheeler shut down the Cubs’ offense, which had struck out 77 times in the team’s last seven games. Wheeler struck out 10 more in six and two-thirds innings to improve to 8-8. The Cubs struck out 14 times in all.
Chicago scored its only runs in the third inning against Wheeler, on a groundout from Anthony Rizzo and on a single by Starlin Castro.
