MET NOTES

Art Howe knew Jeff Duncan was bound to struggle. You don’t recall a 24-year-old kid from Double-A and expect him to tear up the major leagues without some tough times.

Although Duncan was benched yesterday afternoon, Howe isn’t overly concerned with his rookie center fielder. After a sharp lineout to center as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, Duncan is now 2-for-28 and without a hit in his last 13 at-bats.

“I just figured I’d give him a day,” said Howe, who may also sit Duncan against lefty Jeff Fassero tonight. “If somebody gets hot, I’ll play the hot hand. He’s in a little funk right now.”

Timo Perez played center and went 1-for-5 with an RBI as the Brewers edged the Mets 4-3 at Shea.

Duncan has shown some nice signs thus far, compiling a .258 average in 22 games while playing solid defense. Met fans certainly hope he’s the next Lenny Dykstra, not a Jason Tyner.

“I’m just pressing a little bit,” Duncan admitted before the game.

Hitting coach Denny Walling has been working with Duncan to help regain his comfort level. Exacerbating the skid is Duncan’s lack of bunt singles. The speedster doesn’t feel he’s dropped a good bunt down in the past week or so.

*

The trade deadline passed quietly for the Mets, who could still make deals in August once their players clear waivers.

* Cliff Floyd was also missing from the starting lineup and struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Floyd didn’t take batting practice Wednesday in order to receive treatment on his nagging injuries. The club didn’t take BP yesterday.

Floyd said it’s not anything bothering him more than it has been.

“He’s a little sore,” Howe said.