Mets finding it difficult to keep Satin out of lineup

NEW YORK -- The Mets are still waiting for Ike Davis to find a rhythm at the plate. As they do so, though, it's been hard to keep Josh Satin out of the lineup. Satin replaced Davis at first base after Davis was sent to Triple-A Las Vegas, and he thrived.

So now that Davis is back, the Mets are essentially employing a platoon at first base, at least until Davis starts to hit consistently. Satin got the nod at first base against the left-handed Cole Hamels on Saturday, and is likely to start against Cliff Lee, another southpaw, on Sunday.

"This guy has earned a chance to play against lefties," manager Terry Collins said, "so he's going to play."

Satin is hitting .448 against lefties this season, with seven doubles and five RBIs. He also has a .543 on-base percentage against left-handed pitching.

Davis, meanwhile, continues to struggle, hitting .171 with a .259 on-base percentage. In nine games since being recalled from Las Vegas, he is 7-for-30.

"Certainly, in Ike's case, you'd like to get him out there every day to see what he can do," Collins said, "but the testing ground was the first half."

The Mets will face right-handed starters in the first three games of their four-game series against the Braves next week. Collins said that's when they'll get Davis back in the lineup.

New York wants Davis to get at-bats so he can iron out his issues at the plate and hit consistently, but the team benefits too much from having Satin's hot bat in the lineup.

"Ike's going to have to continue to work," Collins said, "and work hard."