THE BEAT GOES ON FOR METS
Flores feeling better day after breaking nose
HOUSTON — The first thing Wilmer Flores thought after fouling a ball off his face Saturday was what was left. The Mets utility infielder crumpled to the ground with blood pouring from his nose, but he couldn’t feel it.
“The first thing I asked (head trainer) Ray (Ramirez) was is my nose OK, because I didn’t feel it,” Flores said Sunday. “I thought my tooth was out, too. What you feel it’s nothing good.”
Flores was diagnosed with a broken nose after X-rays at a local hospital Saturday night. He will see a team doctor Tuesday in New York. Flores has a red line across the bridge of his nose, which is swollen. As he spoke, he sounded nasal, like he had a cold.
“I am feeling a lot better,” Flores said. “It was a very scary moment.”
“He is still pretty swelled up. We’ll know more when he gets seen by the guy in New York,” Terry Collins said.
AOKI DEBUTS
Nori Aoki had a long day Saturday, traveling from Toronto to Houston after signing with the Mets and then playing in the nightcap of the doubleheader. But Sunday, he looked refreshed and ready to work.
Aoki went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored. He reached base four times.