As he heats up, Ike explores bunting

NEW YORK -- Ike Davis' first attempt at his new plan didn't go like he hoped. In his first at-bat on Tuesday, Davis tried to bunt for a base hit, but bunted right back to Braves starter Kris Medlen and was out at first.

Davis made up for it four innings later with an RBI double, hitting a two-strike curveball hard off the right-field wall. It was his second straight game with a go-ahead RBI. Those are the types of hits the Mets expect from him.

But while he's starting to hit the ball hard, Davis' second-inning bunt attempt might not be his last.

"I'm going to do it more often," said Davis, who entered Wednesday's game hitting .178.

Mets manager Terry Collins said he didn't necessarily agree with Davis' decision, but he understood it. With Braves third baseman Chris Johnson not expecting a bunt, Davis might have been able to lay down a successful bunt down the third-base line and reached base.

And teams aren't going to start playing for a bunt when Davis is at the plate. Not a fast runner, Davis isn't going to start wreaking havoc on the basepaths on his own by stealing bases.

Still, Collins said Davis' plan to bunt might not always be a bad idea.

"If they're going to let him get on first, let him get on first," Collins said. "I think there are going to be situations where I would prefer that he swing. I understand completely what he did. His game's going to be doing some damage."

Davis has done some damage in the last couple of games, but he still hasn't hit a home run since his stint in Triple-A Las Vegas. He's hitting .256 with two doubles in the 13 games he's been back with the Mets.

Collins said Davis has a tendency to hit balls with a lot of topspin so they don't carry. But the potential for power is certainly there, especially if Davis can hit the middle or lower part of the balls and get some backspin, Collins said.

"He's going to get some homers. He's big and strong," Collins said. "If he keeps hitting the ball on the barrel, he's going to hit some homers."

Unless, of course, Davis follows through on his assertion and actually bunts frequently.

"If I get it down in the right spot, it's a hit," Davis said. "I'm going to definitely try to do that more often."