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          New York Mets

          Ruben Tejada to get third base audition Sunday

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterMay 23, 2015, 07:57 PM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          PITTSBURGH -- With Eric Campbell in an 0-for-19 slump and David Wright not returning from the disabled list anytime soon, Ruben Tejada will get a chance to start at third base for the New York Mets on Sunday.

          Tejada homered off the bench against Anthony Bastardo in the eighth inning of Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

          Manager Terry Collins offered no indication that anything more drastic is forthcoming, such as returning Daniel Murphy to third base.

          The team's offense has been in the doldrums for a while. And third base is one major drag. Players at that position have hit .256 with two homers and 15 RBIs this season.

          Overall, the Mets have scored two runs or fewer in eight of their past 12 games.

          Collins lamented the team's strikeout totals this season -- including 177 Ks in 684 at-bats in May, which ranks in the upper third in the National League.

          "If you've got home run hitters, strikeouts, you nod your head and say, 'OK,'" Collins said. "We've got guys who should live and die putting the ball in play, and we're not making contact."