NEW YORK -- When it was made, the decision to start Lucas Duda over Ike Davis at first base elicited skepticism and furrowed brows. Why Duda, whose track record of success paled in comparison to that of Davis? Why Duda, who produced inferior numbers in a so-called spring competition and was 0-for-6 after three games of the season?This is why, provided Duda does what he did Friday with any shred of consistency. Displaying a more aggressive approach at the plate, Duda smashed two homers en route to a 4-3 Mets win over the Reds, their first of the season. 
Officially named the Mets' starting first baseman Friday despite his .000 average and skittish plate approach through three games, Duda launched two-run homers off Mike Leake in the fourth and sixth innings, giving the Mets an early lead and later extending it. The result was the fifth multi-homer game of Duda's career.Still, the scattered thousands who stayed until the end on a cold, rainy night at Citi Field could not be assured of victory until the final out. New York's bullpen absorbed significant damage for the fourth straight game, this time when John Lannan served up Jay Bruce's two-run homer with two outs in the seventh. That brought on Kyle Farnsworth, who combined with new closer Jose Valverde for the final seven outs.The first 18 outs were much easier to come by thanks to Jenrry Mejia, who was electric yet inefficient in his season debut. Needing 101 pitches to complete six innings, Mejia struck out eight batters and walked five, but allowed his only run on Bruce's RBI single in the third.Duda and Bruce combined to drive in all seven runs in the game.Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
Officially named the Mets' starting first baseman Friday despite his .000 average and skittish plate approach through three games, Duda launched two-run homers off Mike Leake in the fourth and sixth innings, giving the Mets an early lead and later extending it. The result was the fifth multi-homer game of Duda's career.Still, the scattered thousands who stayed until the end on a cold, rainy night at Citi Field could not be assured of victory until the final out. New York's bullpen absorbed significant damage for the fourth straight game, this time when John Lannan served up Jay Bruce's two-run homer with two outs in the seventh. That brought on Kyle Farnsworth, who combined with new closer Jose Valverde for the final seven outs.The first 18 outs were much easier to come by thanks to Jenrry Mejia, who was electric yet inefficient in his season debut. Needing 101 pitches to complete six innings, Mejia struck out eight batters and walked five, but allowed his only run on Bruce's RBI single in the third.Duda and Bruce combined to drive in all seven runs in the game.Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
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