Chris Flexen was left battered and searching for answers Sunday.
The Mets right-hander was summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas to make his first start of the season for the team — he had appeared three times in relief. Flexen proceeded to be knocked out after only three innings in which he allowed five runs in a 9-0 loss to the Rays at Citi Field.
“I just think it’s lack of command,” said Flexen, whose ERA surged to 12.79. “I am not throwing enough strikes, not throwing enough quality strikes when I need them and falling behind guys and nothing to do but come back over the plate and that is where I have been getting burned a lot.