Wilmer Flores started in the clean-up spot for the first time in his career on Friday night and became the fifth Mets shortstop in team history to start in the clean-up spot and the first since John Valentin on May 4, 2002 against the Houston Astros.
Flores didn’t disappoint, belting a home run in the second inning to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead in last night’s win over the Atlanta Braves.
It was his 10th home run of the year, becoming the fourth Mets shortstop in team history to hit 10 or more home runs in a season.
Jose Reyes did it four times, last in 2010 when he had 11 home runs, Kevin Elster had 10 home runs in 1989 and Eddie Bressoud had 10 home runs in 1966.
The 10 home runs for Flores also ties him with St. Louis’ Jhonny Peralta for the most by a major league shortstop this year.
It was the third time in franchise history that a shortstop belted a home run while batting cleanup. Howard Johnson did it twice (May 12, 1991 at San Francisco and August 16, 1990 vs. Los Angeles-NL) and Eddie Bressoud (July 3, 1966 vs. Pittsburgh) was the other one to accomplish the feat.
“For me it doesn’t matter where I hit,” Flores said after the game. “I’m just going out there and trying to hit the ball hard.”
Terry Collins said he doesn’t expect to make a habit of using Flores as his cleanup hitter, but Lucas Duda happened to have the night off.
Flores is now on pace for 25 homers, 75 RBI and 75 runs scored, and until recently was mostly batting in the bottom third of the lineup.
