At this time last season, Daniel Murphy was visiting Turner Field in Atlanta as a fan, trying to satisfy his baseball cravings between his season at Class A St. Lucie and the fall instructional league. One year later, he's keying the Mets' playoff push -- even on a day he wasn't in the starting lineup.
The rookie upped his September average to .467 with a pinch-hit, two-run double that broke a tie in the eighth inning Friday night as the Mets beat Atlanta to retake first place in the NL East from the Phillies. Murphy has played a key part in the surge while platooning in left field with fellow rookie Nick Evans, who homered in the win against the Braves.
"He's been huge for us," interim manager Jerry Manuel said.
With the Mets scheduled to face right-handers the next six games, the lefty-hitting Murphy is expected to be in the lineup straight through Thursday. By then, the Mets hope they've secured a postseason berth.
While Murphy's long-term future may now be with the Mets, it may be at another position besides left field, though. He's been asked to play second base in the Arizona Fall League.
METS 9, BRAVES 5: Rookie pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy's tiebreaking two-run double keyed a four-run eighth as the Mets regained first place in the NL East by a half-game over Philadelphia. Jose Reyes went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and three runs scored. Brian Stokes pitched two scoreless relief innings.
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