"Jason Bay's first game back at PNC Park since getting traded from the Pirates in 2008 hardly was an opportunity to thump his chest and show off.

The Mets struggling left fielder was absent from the starting lineup for a second straight game as he attempts to rectify his swing and clear his head. Bay arrived for last night's game in a career-worst hitless streak of 23 at-bats.

Manager Terry Collins said after the Mets' 8-1 win over the Pirates last night that Bay would return to the lineup tonight."