Mets' Bay feels victimized by ump and slump

Mets' Bay feels victimized by ump and slump

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Mets manager Terry Collins stands up for Jason Bay and also gets tossed.

Hearing boos every time his name is mentioned at Citi Field is taxing enough. Facing gas-throwing phenom Stephen Strasburg already was an arduous task.

Jason Bay also wasnt helped by home-plate umpire Larry Vanover in Wednesdays 4-0 loss to the Nationals, and the Mets slow-starting left fielder lost his cool after he was called out on strikes on a pitch clearly outside the strike zone with two runners on base in the sixth inning.

Bay wasnt booted from the game after uncharacteristically arguing the call, but manager Terry Collins stuck up for his slumping player and was ejected for the first time this season while making a pitching change a half-inning later.

Jason Bay doesnt say anything to anybody. Once in a while you have to go protect somebody, Collins said. When were walking 10 guys in a game, I got a lot of guts to go out there and argue balls and strikes when were not throwing it over (the plate).

But Jason Bay never says a word. So when hes arguing, theres an issue.

Collins went to the clubhouse after he was thumbed to review the replay of Vanovers call, and indicated that the 2-2 pitch appeared to be several inches outside. Johan Santana and the Mets were trailing 1-0 against Strasburg with Lucas Duda (walk) and Ike Davis (first hit of the season) aboard with one out in the s ixth.

That was a point in the game where, gosh, (Bay) gets something to handle, and maybe changes the whole dynamics of the rest of the game, Collins said.

As it turned out, it was just another lost opportunity for Bay to begin winning back the fans support amid a dreadful start following two injury-plagued and/or unproductive seasons since he signed a four-year, $ 66 million contract on Dec. 29, 2009.

Most of you have been around me long enough to know I dont say much (to umpires), Bay said. After battling your butt off, and that guy Strasburg is pretty good in his own right . . . all you get is a pat on the back.

After driving in no runs during spring training, Bay is hitting .158 (3-for-19) with one RBI and eight strikeouts through six boo-filled home games.

I actually feel pretty good. Ive faced some good pitching the last couple days and its really a matter of just building on it, Bay said. I feel like Im having good at-bats, as far as seeing the ball and doing certain things. There were times the last few years, youre kind of guessing and not even close. But I dont feel like Im there at all.