Get ready for a potentially messy starting center-field controversy in Flushing.
On a day the Mets were pledging allegiance to Carlos Beltran in his comeback attempt from right knee surgery, Angel Pagan once again reminded everyone that center field already is in good hands.
Pagan matched a career high with four hits and drove in four runs last night, leading a 14-6 demolition of the Tigers at Citi Field.
The only thing Pagan missed was hitting a home run to complete the cycle — after he tripled, singled and doubled in the first four innings. The Mets (40-30) moved within 1½ games of Atlanta for the NL East lead — just the kind of start to their homestand they needed after losing two of three games to the Yankees in The Bronx last weekend.
Barring a physical setback, Beltran will be 20 days or fewer removed from joining the Mets when he begins a minor league rehab assignment for Single-A St. Lucie tomorrow. Manager Jerry Manuel already has Beltran ticketed for a return to center field, with Pagan headed to the bench — a move that will raise a few eyebrows should Pagan continue anywhere near his recent level.
“What’s in my mind is to try and help the team as much as I can,” Pagan said. “I’m trying to take advantage of the opportunity and cover Carlos’ spot.”
Pagan extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 4-for-6 performance that raised his average to .304. And the Mets especially appreciate the fact Pagan entered play batting .368 with runners in scoring position, which ranked seventh in the NL.
“It’s hard to sit a guy like that,” Jose Reyes said.
Though Pagan could push Jeff Francoeur for playing time in right field, the Mets love Francoeur’s arm and the power he brings to the bottom of the order.
Pagan smashed an RBI triple against Justin Verlander (8-5) in last night’s first inning, beginning an onslaught that concluded with the Mets scoring their most runs in a game this season.
GM Omar Minaya indicated Beltran largely will be responsible for telling the Mets when he is ready to join the team. The Mets play a three-game series against the Marlins in Beltran’s native Puerto Rico beginning Monday, but Minaya said he wouldn’t expect Beltran in uniform for those games. The latest Beltran would return is the series in San Francisco following the All-Star break.
“Every team is looking to add a pitcher, a hitter or something like that [before] the trading deadline,” Minaya said. “For us to be able to add Carlos Beltran, there’s not going to be a better hitter in any kind of market.”
Manuel previously broached the idea that he might ask Beltran to play a corner outfield position on occasion, but the manager has changed his mind.
“I kind of see [Beltran] as the center fielder,” Manuel said. “That’s a place of comfort for him.”
Pagan wasn’t alone inflicting damage last night. Ike Davis went 3-for-6 with three RBIs and Reyes went 3-for-6 with an RBI. The Mets made it a runaway with eight runs in the third inning.
Jon Niese returned after a 58-minute rain delay in the third then sat through a prolonged at-bat by the Mets after play resumed — making for a total layoff of 92 minutes — but couldn’t get the last out of the fifth and was denied a victory, despite a 10-0 lead at one point.
The lefty allowed six earned runs on eight hits and three walks. Fernando Nieve (2-3) got the final out of the fifth after surrendering an RBI single to Danny Worth and took the Mets through the seventh.