After a rough three game stretch that saw him go 1-2 with a 9.98 ERA, Bartolo Colon limited the Phillies to three runs in six innings on Monday and got the win to improve to 7-3 for the season.
Manager Terry Collins called a team meeting after getting swept in Pittsburgh and turned to Colon to be the stopper and the veteran right-hander did just that.
“It always helps (in calling a meeting) when you’ve got a pro like Bartolo coming the next day, because you know exactly what he’s going to give you,” said Collins. “He’s going to keep you in the game, and allowed us to get some big hits.” (Brian Lewis, NY Post)
“He’s played stopper for a long time, been one of those guys that everybody turns to. … It’s nice to have Bartolo, who isn’t going to beat himself out there.”
After the game, Colon was appreciative of the confidence Collins and his staff bestowed in him.
“It means a lot to me that TC and the whole coaching staff feel the same way, that I’m going to give that opportunity to win every time I go out there. I just make sure I’m an example to the young guys so they can work hard every day and be ready and give the best they can to the game.”
“It’s really good to be in that position, and after a meeting like Sunday to motivate and push everybody. It’s important for me. I like that. It’s a challenge,” said Colon.
Colon even contributed with his bat, getting a base hit in the the fifth inning and tagging on a fly ball and advancing to third. “I was thinking about stealing before tagging,” Colon jokingly said.
In earning his seventh win of the season, Colon is now tied with Seattle’s Felix Hernandez and St. Louis’ Michael Wacha for the major-league lead in victories.
