NEW YORK — Wilmer Flores gave Mets fans one more reason to fall for him — this time with his bat as well as his heart.
The new favorite at Citi Field hit a leadoff homer in the 12th inning to lift New York over the Washington Nationals 2-1 Friday night in the opener of a pivotal series between the top teams in the NL East.
Two nights after endearing himself to Mets rooters when they saw him wiping away tears at shortstop after he thought he'd been traded, Flores received four standing ovations on an invigorating day for the Mets.