New York Mets pitcher, Bartolo Colon got back on track in last night’s 7-1 domination of the Washington Nationals. Colon stated he battled through back issues during a great comeback performance against the same team who beat up on him a week prior.
Big Sexy’s final line on the night stood with an impressive seven innings pitched, while allowing just one run. He gave up five hits, while both walking and striking out two batters. Colon picked up the win as he improved his record to 4-3 and lowered his ERA to 3.44. Colon admitted after the game that he has been battling through back discomfort ever since his May 7th start in San Diego. There was no mention if he felt that this issue was part of the cause to his allowing five walks in his previous performance against the Nationals.
“I just think when you have a bad outing, as soon as you’re done with that, you really just need to start mentally preparing for the next one, which is what I did today,” Colon said through an interpreter. “As soon as I was out of that game, I’m just prepping for the next start.” (ESPN)
One noticeably interesting thing on Colon last night was his uncharacteristically stale performances while batting. Colon reportedly told Nationals catcher, Wilson Ramos, during his first at-bat to have Gio Gonzalez throw it right down the middle and he would not swing due to his back hurting.
“It’s been bothering me a little bit,” Colon said of his back. “It started off after we left San Diego. But I think those last two [poor] starts, it really wasn’t related to that. It’s not anything that’s bothering me that much.
I thought it wasn’t worth it to swing. I swing at the balls pretty hard, and I thought it’s not worth making my back worse. I told their catcher from the beginning, ‘Just throw it right down the middle. I’m not swinging.’ After that first at-bat, they threw me a changeup. I was like, ‘No, I promise you. Throw it right down the middle. I’m not going to swing.’”
Last night was Colon’s final start as a 42 year-old as he turns 43 today. It is amazing what he is still able to do at such an advanced age.
“I think back in the day there have been a few players who have probably played a little bit longer and a little older,” Colon said. “I’m just really thankful to God that I’m still here.”
Making sure Colon stays healthy will be a priority for this club as almost every pitcher not named Noah Syndergaard has or is dealing with some type of issue that is prohibiting them from pitching to their best abilities.
