Ruben Tejada is working his way back into the Mets’ good graces.
The beleaguered shortstop was back in the Mets lineup for a third straight start Tuesday, even with Wilmer Flores available to play after recovering from recent sickness.
Tejada delivered a game-winning RBI single in the 11th inning against the Phillies on Sunday and followed that with a double on Monday against the Yankees.
Tejada went 1-for-4, scored twice and drove in a run Tuesday night when the Mets won, 12-7.
Flores was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas before Friday’s game and was expected to become the regular shortstop for a stretch, but Tejada has impressed team brass.
Manager Terry Collins cited Tejada’s solid contact at the plate and solid defensive play lately.
“I don’t know the reason necessarily why, except the perception would be he got a wake-up call and sometimes it makes a big difference,” Collins said. “Back-to-back very good games and I said we’re going to run him back out there [Monday].
“The only thing that you could assume and we could be wrong is that Wilmer came in and [Tejada] lost his job, then he said ‘I’ve got to win it back’ and maybe he just got refocused.”
A “limited” number of Subway Series tickets remain for Wednesday and Thursday at Citi Field, according to the Mets.
Last year, the midweek Subway games were far short of a sellout at Citi Field, with about 10,000 unsold tickets for each game.
The Mets are urging fans to ride the rails to Citi Field in the spirit of the Subway Series. The 7 train is the fastest way to the ballpark, with its Mets-Willets Point stop, and direct LIRR service to Citi Field is available from Penn Station, Woodside, and all stations on the Port Washington Branch. For more details, visit http://www.mta.info and click on “Take the Train to the Game.”
Catcher Brian McCann took a foul ball off his glove hand in the ninth inning but stayed in the game after being examined by trainer Steve Donohue.
“It caught it pretty good,’’ McCann said of the foul tip off Duda’s bat that hit the thumb part of the mitt.
McCann, who went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, said he would be OK for Wednesday night’s game.
After not starting but appearing as a pinch hitter Monday night, Mark Teixeira was the DH Tuesday night against the Mets and went 1-for-5 and drove in a run.
Teixeira is dealing with a tight left groin and has been instructed by Joe Girardi not to push it.
Teixeira labored to get to first base Monday night on a ball that could have been a double.
“I talked to him [Tuesday] and I asked him, ‘Were you running because you were hurt or being cautious,’ ’’ Girardi said. “He said he was being cautious and I said, ‘That’s good and you have to be smart. If I get to the point where I feel I have to pinch-run for you I will pinch run.’’
Because Girardi used Alfredo Aceves for two-thirds of an inning Monday and 1²/₃ innings Tuesday he won’t start Thursday. That assignment goes to Chase Whitley, a right-hander who will make his major league debut.
Whitley started Monday night for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but was limited to an inning so he could be ready if needed Thursday against the Mets. Whitley is 3-2 with a 2.39 ERA in seven games (six starts) for SWB.
Michael Pineda made 50 throws from 90 feet in the Yankee Stadium outfield. He said he wasn’t sure what today’s schedule is. Pineda is on the DL with a Grade 1 strain of the teres major muscle in the upper right side of the back.
Babe Ruth’s Hall of Fame plaque was on display behind home plate during batting practice, drawing the interest of Derek Jeter and other players.