MILWAUKEE – Carlos Beltran may be about to embark on an offensive explosion.
Beltran had three hits yesterday for the second straight game, the first time he has done that this season. He has raised his average 27 points the last two days, from .283 to .310.
“These last two days, I feel better at the plate,” he said.
And now Beltran’s about to play three games in the National League stadium in which he has had his most success.
The Mets, and Beltran, are heading to Wrigley Field for three games against the Cubs. Lifetime in Wrigley’s Friendly Confines, Beltran is hitting .510 (26-for-51) with eight homers and 17 RBIs.
“Every time I went there I feel great at the plate,” Beltran said. “That’s one of those ballparks where if you hit the ball good enough, it’s a home run. They have very short alleys.”
Beltran, who’s now hitting .310 with six homers and 23 RBIs, has obviously been a good player for the Mets all year. But in their last two games, he has been brilliant, showcasing everything he’s capable of offensively.
On Saturday, he slammed a pair of two-run homers and also beat out a bunt hit. Yesterday, he ripped an RBI single, hit a double and reached on an infield hit. He has scored four runs and driven in five the last two games.
Beltran seems to have had a minor offensive epiphany. He said that on Saturday he was talking to Milwaukee pitcher Victor Santos and told him, “You know what? I think I found out something that I was doing wrong.” When Santos asked him what it was, Beltran replied, “Now I feel like I’m focused on the pitcher.”
Said Beltran yesterday: “If I’m focused on the pitcher, all of a sudden you will start seeing the ball good. You will start putting the ball in play a little bit more.”
Beltran also seems to be developing into a strong offensive combination with Mike Cameron. In the first two games of the series, Cameron hit second and Beltran third, and Beltran drove Cameron in three times. Then with Cliff Floyd and Mike Piazza both resting yesterday, Beltran hit third and Cameron hit fourth. The two combined to reach base six times and score three of the Mets’ four runs.
“It’s a nice combination,” said manager Willie Randolph.
