Duda putting up strong April power numbers

NEW YORK -- Lucas Duda entered Saturday's play ranked second in baseball in OPS behind Chris Davis of the Orioles, second in on-base percentage behind Joey Votto of the Reds and fifth in slugging percentage.

Not bad for a hitter whose struggles last summer were so pronounced they resulted in a demotion to the Minors.

"I wouldn't say [I'm] locked in, but I feel good," Duda said Saturday, a day after slugging two home runs in a 7-1 win over the Nationals. "I'm seeing the ball well right now. That's pretty much how you can equate it."

Thanks in large part to Duda's five homers, the Mets have hit at least one home run in eight consecutive home games dating back to last season. Manager Terry Collins attributed some of that power to the team learning how to embrace Citi Field's dimensions, which were adjusted prior to last season.

"When you look out there and you've got an eight-foot wall to hit it over as opposed to a 16-foot wall, it had better change your mindset," Collins said. "It's going to be a little more hitter-friendly. This is still a far ballpark to play in, but we've got some big, strong guys. We're not a ground-ball-hitting team, I can tell you that. And therefore, we're hitting some home runs."