We’ve seen it before. Two times prior, actually.
Wilmer Flores is no stranger to the walk-off, and in each instance, it’s just as sweet. This was the case Sunday afternoon when the 26-year-old blasted the Mets to victory with a game winning home run.
“It’s the same feeling,” Flores said of his history with late-inning heroics. “Even better when you do it over and over.”
Sunday’s weather was a complete 180 from the day prior. The sun had retreated behind the clouds and a cold wind blew throughout Citi Field.
The Mets and Milwaukee Brewers were engaged in a low-scoring, laborious affair and one that seemed destined for extra-innings until Flores decided it was time to go home and get warm.
“That’s what we were saying when they came off the field: Win it right here and we get to go get warm,” manager Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “I know the players were ready to get off the field.”
But before Flores could enjoy the warmth, he was greeted by a Gatorade shower from Yoenis Cespedes in his post game interview.
“I told him no,” Flores said. “But he still did it.”
The last walk-off homer from the Mets also came off the bat of Flores on July 22, 2017 against the Oakland Athletics.
On Sunday, he wasn’t even thinking walk-off, he was just trying to get the barrel on the ball. Sure enough, that’s exactly what he did.
“I was definitely ready for a heater,” Flores said. “All I wanted, seriously, was to hit the ball hard. I was struggling the first three at-bats, and I just wanted to hit the ball hard.
“I’m just trying to stay calm and not rush things. I wasn’t trying to hit a homer. It just happens when you make good contact.”
New York has began the season 12-2, good for tops in the National League. Only the Boston Red Sox (13-2) have a better record than the Mets in the majors.
The last time New York had a similar start to the season was in 2015 when they began the year 13-3 after an 11-game win streak. That year, the Mets went to the World Series.
“This team feels a lot like that one,” he said. “This whole lineup can score runs. Really, anybody can be a hero here.”
The Mets will look to bust the National League East open a bit in the early parts of the season Monday night when they begin a three-game set with the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
