The New York Mets 43-year old All-Star, Bartolo Colon has struggled as of late. The Cubs got to Colon often and early in Wednesday’s 6-2 loss.
Colon lasted just 4.1 innings, his shortest non-injury related start of the season. He allowed all six runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out one. It was the second time in three starts he has allowed six runs.
“I think mentally I wasn’t all there today, and I paid the consequences,” Colon said. (NY Post)
Big Sexy has been beat around in the month of July. He has pitched to a 2-1 record but has struggled with an ERA of 6.10. Colon has allowed 26 hits in 20.2 innings and is struggling with his command at times, walking seven batters in the month of July.
Manager, Terry Collins is aware of his struggles but also knows at this time there really is not anywhere else to turn. A once pitching rich team is currently thin on what was their biggest strength.
“We have no other options right now,” Collins said. “Right now, if he was 53, he would be out there pitching.”
Colon’s ERA surged from 2.87 to 3.48 in his third consecutive performance where he failed to reach the sixth inning. His record fell to 8-5 on the season. His recent struggles mixed with other staff injuries has Collins wondering if pitching help is needed.
“There’s lot of dynamics that go into all of a sudden thinking you need more pitching. As we’ve said before, you never have enough pitching. Ever. This year we’ve got to ride out what we’ve got, and they’ve got to step up and hopefully start pitching well as a group.”
This year has truly proven the fact that you really can never have enough pitching. There are still many games left to be playd and the team could probably benefit with one more reliable starting pitcher for the stretch run.
