The Mets (63-52) defeated the Rockies (48-65) in today’s series finale by a score of 12-3 to move them to 11 games over .500. Noah Syndergaard pitched for the Metropolitans and did not have his best stuff in the early innings, but settled down later on with some solid run support. He lasted seven innings giving up three earned runs while striking out five and walking two. He improved his record to 7-6 on the year.
The Mets were down right off the bat in this game. Syndergaard gave up two solo homers in the first inning off the bats of D.J. LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado. Thor was using his fastball predominately and missed a few locations in the inning, all while hitting 98mph on the gun.
However, the Mets were able to strike back in the bottom half of the inning. Curtis Granderson got it started with a walk. With one out and Granderson on first, the Mets hit three RBI doubles in a row off the bats of Daniel Murphy, Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson respectively. Butler was able to stop the bleeding there, but the damage had been done.
The Rockies would tie the game two innings later. Charlie Blackmon, who walked to leadoff the inning, stole second and eventually came around to score after a sac-fly and RBI groundout.
The game didn’t stay tied for long. In the bottom half of the inning, Yoenis Cespedes came around to score on a two-out, RBI double off the bat of Kelly Johnson, his second double of the game. At this point in the game, all five hits for the Metropolitans were doubles.
Curtis Granderson helped add to the lead in the fourth with a two-out, two run home run that hit the bridge in right-center field. The homer was Granderson’s 20th of the season, matching his total from 2014. The next inning, Walt Weiss pulled Butler for a pinch hitter. Kelly Johnson added on in the 5th with his 12th home run of the year, a solo shot to push the Mets’ lead to four.
Yoenis Cespedes got in on the two-out RBI action in the 6th with an RBI single to drive home Wilmer Flores. The hit came off of LHP Christian Friedrich and Cespedes drove it to right-center. Mimicking that approach will bode well for Cespedes against the lefties who he has struggled against all year.
Juan Lagares pinch-hit for the pitchers spot in the 8th inning with two runners on base. He wanted to get in on the action and promptly smacked a three-run homer to left for his fourth of the year. He has swung the bat well the past three games.
Hansel Robles pitched a scoreless 8th and Bobby Parnell shut the door in the 9th.
The Mets are back in action tomorrow night at Citi Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates when Bartolo Colon (10-11) will oppose J.A. Happ (0-1). Game time 7:10 p.m.
Today’s Attendance: 36,573
