KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Daniel Murphy has gone from action hero to mere mortal.
After setting a postseason record by hitting a home run in six straight games — a streak that ended in Game 1 of the World Series — the gritty second baseman is among the Mets trying to make decent contact against the Royals.
“He really hasn’t gotten too many pitches to hit, that is the bottom line,” hitting coach Kevin Long said after the Mets’ 7-1 loss in Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium. “Pitches are off the plate, low, high. Murph walked twice today, he is doing what he needs to do. He is taking what they are giving him. They haven’t given him a whole lot.”
Murphy is 2-for-9 (.222) at the plate in two games, with two walks.
Jon Niese was warming up in the bullpen in the fifth inning when the Royals batted around and scored four runs against Jacob deGrom, but manager Terry Collins wanted to give his ace every opportunity to escape.
“You have to stay with him,” Collins said. “We’ve been sitting here raving the last two series that he’s gotten himself out of trouble.”
Collins did not have Bartolo Colon available, a night after the veteran righty pitched 2 ¹/₃ innings. Niese eventually got into the game but wasn’t nearly as effective as he was Tuesday, giving up three runs in the seventh inning.
“I just thought it was time we could ride Jake and see if we could get him out of that inning,” Collins said.
Among the strange scenes in Game 1 was Collins chatting behind home plate with Mike Moustakas during a stoppage in play as umpires tried to determine the availability of instant replay after FOX lost television transmission.
“You know what [Moustakas] told me?” Collins said. “He said it happens here all the time.”
Chris Young, who frustrated the Mets with three innings of scoreless relief for the victory on Tuesday, will return to start Game 4, according to manager Ned Yost. The Royals plan to start Edinson Volquez in Game 5.
The Mets had their streak of 10 straight postseason games with a home run snapped. They were one of only five teams with a double-digit streak in postseason history. The Rangers in 2010 were the last team to accomplish the feat.