PHILADELPHIA — The knock on Wilmer Flores as a shortstop in the minor leagues was his throwing. On Sunday, the Mets got their first indication it could still be a problem.
Flores’ off-line throw to first base — the play was ruled a hit — allowed Ben Revere to reach with two outs in the seventh, extending the inning for the Phillies. Chase Utley delivered a two-run triple later in the inning.
“It was a fast runner and I had to rush it,” Flores said after the Mets’ 7-6 loss.
Though Ruben Tejada is the safer option at shortstop, the Mets are auditioning Flores, whose offensive potential intrigues team officials. Flores went 1-for-4 at the plate.
“The whole plan was we’ve got to see if he can play major league shortstop,” manager Terry Collins said. “He’s got to be out there, we’ve got to find out if he’s going to be able to do it, be able to hit and with that comes maybe a play like that. Once he got to the ball he had a tough time getting it out.”
Vic Black was the real loser on the play. The righty reliever was charged for two runs on three hits in the inning.
Lucas Duda’s fifth-inning home run gave him seven homers since the All-Star break, which is the second most in the major leagues over that stretch.
Giancarlo Stanton has hit eight homers for the Marlins since the All-Star break.
Matt den Dekker made his first major league start since his recall from Triple-A Las Vegas and went 2-for-5 with two singles.
The rookie outfielder also hit a shot that sent Ben Revere to the center-field fence in the third inning.
David Wright ’s fielding error in the third inning snapped the Mets’ eight-game errorless streak, which had matched a season high. The Mets also went eight games without an error from April 9-16.