NEW YORK -- When New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes struck out in the fourth inning and the ball eluded catcher AJ Pierzynski, Cespedes never broke for first base on Tuesday night.
Manager Terry Collins said he asked Cespedes the reason for the lack of hustle. Cespedes replied that he believed he had not swung on what was ruled by plate umpire Manny Gonzalez as a swinging third strike.
"He didn’t think he went,” Collins said after the Mets' 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Asked if he would prefer Cespedes run anyway just in case he was ruled to have swung, Collins added: "I’d like him to run. Yes."
Cespedes finished 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.
