In his first start of the season Bartolo Colon was solid. In six innings pitched he allowed five hits while only giving up one run. He struck out seven Phillies and had great control through the night, walking none.
Unfortunately for the Mets the solo bomb by Ryan Howard in the fifth inning was all the Phillies would need to defeat the Metropolitans on Friday night.
“Everything was good,” Colon said. “I thank God I was ready for the opportunity today . . . The wind was going and as the wind goes, my pitches were going.” (Newsday)
Colon, 42, entering his 20th major league season looked spry as ever chasing a pop-up off the mound and making a Willie Mays style catch. Of course in true Colon style, he lost his hat while making the play to a raucous applause from the citi faithful. Normally a pitcher would let a fielder call him off, but not Colon.
“I thought I was the only one who had the opportunity to catch it, so I made the play, Colon said.”
Bartolo stands at 218 wins in his storied career, just one shy of passing Pedro Martinez on the all-time wins list for dominican born players.
