CINCINNATI -- Terry Collins has switched out four players from the starting lineup he sent to the field Tuesday and Wednesday night against the Reds for Thursday night’s series finale at Great American Ball Park. Collins said moves were coming after Wednesday’s 6-1 loss and that’s what happened.

Scott Hairston is playing center field, batting fifth, followed by Justin Turner at second base, Jason Bay in left field and Kelly Shoppach behind the plate. Sitting tonight are Andres Torres, Daniel Murphy, Jordany Valdespin and Josh Thole.

“I just thought that some guys needed to get off and take a break and get some other guys that maybe might be fresh,” said Collins. “There are a lot of reasons but right now we’re just not hitting.”

Murphy is one guy Collins said could use a break. He’s played in 114 of the team’s 117 games this season, the most on the team, but is hitting a solid .293 even though he is just 1-for-8 this series. David Wright (113) and Ike Davis (111) are the only other Mets who have played as many as 100 games, and Collins said there is a good chance both players will get an off day during this weekend's three-game series in Washington.

Bay will be playing for just the 44th time this season. Time on the disabled list and a .150 batting average have kept him in a reserve role.

“He’s not necessarily happy, and I don’t blame him. It’s the frustrations of the process,” said Collins. “He just hasn’t hit.”

Collins started working on the lineup changes Wednesday night and continued thinking about them after getting some sleep. The Mets are 9-22 since the All-Star break. Collins hasn’t had too many good nights of sleep.

"I haven't had a fresh head (for) a couple of weeks in the morning," he said.