By BRETT CYRGALIS
Last updated: 7:53 am
June 27, 2008
Posted: 3:52 am
June 27, 2008
Ryan Church was excited to be in uniform last night. Unfortunately for the Mets, Church was at Brooklyn's KeySpan Park wearing the uniform of their Class-A affiliate.
It was the beginning of Church's rehab assignment for a concussion he sustained during a May 20 game in Atlanta.
Church went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored against Aberdeen left-hander Aaron Odom while playing five innings in right field during the Cyclones' 4-2 win.
"I felt great out there," Church said. "I was just trying to see the ball and get a hit here or there. All in all, it was a good day."
Under the watchful eyes of Mets GM Omar Minaya and VP of Player Development Tony Bernazard, Church performed like a major leaguer, legging out two infield singles and roping a RBI double down the right-field line.
The 30-year-old right fielder didn't play in the field, and that's one of the reasons that Minaya is recommending that Church play here again tonight when the Cyclones finish off their three-game set with the Ironbirds.
"I just talked to Omar and I think I'll play eight innings here [tonight] and then we'll go from there," Church said. "For me, it's one of those things where I should take my time and get back to 100-percent where I feel like I can contribute up there and help out the team instead of going up there and not being ready."
Before Church went down, he was one of the bright spots on a very dim Mets team. In 50 games this year he was batting .300 (54-for-180), with 35 runs, 10 home runs, and 35 RBIs.
bcyrgalis@nypost.com
