During the Mets 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay, Bartolo Colon allowed four runs and nine hits in 6.2 innings. He surrendered the go-ahead home run to Rays’ rookie Richie Shaffer in the 7th inning, which put Tampa up for good.
The loss was Colon’s 11th of the season and New York’s second in a row following their dramatic seven game winning streak.
“We could have had a couple of games,” manager Terry Collins said. “We didn’t get ’em . . . The last two nights, we didn’t pitch like we normally have. We’ll get ready and go home and have a good homestand.” (Anthony Rieber, Newsday)
Despite Colon’s brilliant start to the season, he now owns a 4.76 ERA this year and has allowed 157 hits in 134 innings pitched. He has not been the reliable veteran the Mets have needed of late as he has struggled mightily during the past few months.
“I’ve been working fine and I’m happy with my performance even though we lost,” said Colon, who has a 5.03 ERA on the road this season. “I’ve been working, tweaking some things in the bullpen and back on track. Hopefully we can get back on track as a team and win some games.”
“I made one mistake,” Colon said. “It was the wrong location. I left it and I threw it where the hitters like it and I paid the price.” (Mike Puma, NY Post)
The Mets have to be concerned about Colon’s recent performances, especially given his age. The 42-year old veteran has a 1-7 record with a 5.30 ERA during his last nine starts. What’s even more troubling is that he has a 5.55 ERA dating all the way back to May 10th
