Wilmer Flores has been the odd man out ever since Ruben Tejada started to play better baseball again, and even though Flores has been relegated to the backup role, he has found a way to make his presence known in the lineup, as he did on Monday night in Philadelphia.

With the Mets already up 5-0 in the top of the sixth, Flores came up with the bases loaded, he hit a double to right field scoring David Wright and Bobby Abreu. Then in the top of the ninth, once again the bases loaded, Flores swung at a 3-1 pitch and parked it over the left field wall for his first home run of the season. His bomb put the Mets up 11-2, and completed the rout.

Flores spoke with Adam Rubin of ESPN NY after the game about his big blast.

“It felt good,” says Flores. “I’ve been struggling the last couple of games. I didn’t feel good my first two at-bats. As the game was going, I made adjustments. I put a good swing on it.”

There is no telling if Flores has earned his way back into the Mets lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, but with how well he swung the bat on Monday, he definitely deserves the opportunity to do it again. But with Tejada batting .345 (10 for 29) with a home run in his last ten games, it will be tough to decide who should get the start. Either way Flores helped his cause with a double and a blast, as he finished the game 2 for 5, with two runs scored, a double, home run and six RBI’s.

Prospect Side Note:

Matt den Dekker, who was recalled to the Mets on Monday, when Juan Lagares was placed on the 15-day DL, made an outstanding leaping catch in center field to rob Ryan Howard of a home run. He also threw out a runner trying to score on a single to center field. With the Mets outfield depleted a bit, den Dekker looks to get his opportunity to show that he belongs in the show.

(Photo Courtesy of MLB.com)