Anthony Witrado | Special to ESPNNewYork.com 10y

Mets hope to bring offense to L.A.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The hope now is that there will be some offensive carryover into the weekend.

The New York Mets went off for 10 hits in their 8-5 win against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, and looking forward, the thought process was the same for everyone in the clubhouse from the manager to the players.

“It felt good and hopefully we can keep it going,” said Lucas Duda, whose three-run home run in the third inning was the game’s big shot. “It’s something to build on and something to go into L.A. feeling good about.”

With a night game on Tuesday and an early afternoon start on the West Coast on Wednesday, the Mets did little pregame work. Some players hit in the cage while others took it easy. That laid-back approach might have taken minds off the recent offensive and win-column struggles.

“It might have helped that we took it easy before the game,” Collins said.

The Mets seemed most pleased with their ability to string hits together, especially with two outs. Four of the runs were knocked in with two outs, three of them on Duda’s home run in a five-run third.

“Hopefully this is the start of something for the final six weeks,” Collins said. “We’ll find out Friday.”

Colon starts Sunday: Bartolo Colon will take his scheduled turn in the rotation Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets announced after Wednesday’s game.

Colon is on the bereavement list following the death of his mother. The right-hander went to the Dominican Republic to be with his family and will return to the island for her funeral after his start in Los Angeles.

Mejia bothered by back: Collins did not know one of his relievers, right-hander Jenrry Mejia, was unavailable until right around first pitch Wednesday. Bullpen coach Ricky Bones informed him that Mejia wasn’t available and Collins initially thought he had a sore arm. He came to find out it was tight back that was bothering Mejia.

Mejia said the back started to bother him Tuesday, a day after he made his fourth appearance in five days. With the day off Thursday, Mejia said he feels like that will be enough rest to be ready for the weekend series against the Dodgers.

Missing the ace: The Mets got a bit of good news heading into their next series. The Dodgers announced they are pushing up Clayton Kershaw, who was supposed to pitch Friday, into Thursday’s start, causing him to miss the Mets altogether.

Instead the Dodgers will throw Dan Haren on Friday, followed by Zack Greinke and his balky elbow on Saturday.

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