Carlos Beltran took a sick day yesterday, but an even sicker day by his replacement in right field made everything just fine in the Mets’ world.
The last time anyone had heard Scott Hairston’s name, he was taking Brian Wilson deep in the ninth inning to help the Mets get a victory in San Francisco nine days ago. As Beltran rested with the flu — and offered a possible preview of life without him in Queens should he be traded — Hairston played right field, batted third and punished the Phillies with a career performance.
“That’s why I put the stuff in Carlos’ coffee,” manager Terry Collins joked after Hairston went 3-for-5 with a home run and career-high five RBIs in the Mets’ 11-2 dismantling of the Phillies at Citi Field.
In truth, Collins likely would have started Hairston somewhere even if Beltran were healthy. The fact Hairston was a .353 (6-for-17) lifetime hitter against Phillies starter Cole Hamels made the decision easy. Hairston delivered two doubles against Hamels yesterday before hitting a three-run homer off Danys Baez in the seventh. (continue)