Phils work with Hernandez to limit miscues

SAN DIEGO — Cesar Hernandez is having the best season of his career, but he remains an enigma to the Phillies.

The second baseman entered Sunday’s series finale against the Padres at Pecto Park hitting .292 with 11 doubles, seven triples, two home runs, 27 RBIs and a .727 OPS in 405 plate appearances. He has hit .362 with an .877 OPS since Phillies manager Pete Mackanin benched him two games in Minnesota in June.

“He could be a hell of a player,” Mackanin said after Saturday’s 9-7 loss to the Padres.

But Mackanin’s praise came at the end of an answer to a question that has been asked repeatedly this season: Why does Hernandez keep making so many mental mistakes on the field?

He got caught stealing third base in the seventh inning Saturday, which befuddled Macakanin and coaches because the Phillies trailed by four at the time.

“I have no idea why he went,” Mackanin said.

In fact, a couple of Hernandez’s teammates approached Hernandez after the game and told him that it was not a smart time to run.

“I …

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