The Mets, winners of six of their last ten games, opened a two game series at Citi Field against the first place Oakland A’s, who have also won seven of their last ten games and owned the best record in baseball coming into Thursday’s game.
Bartolo Colon went up against his old teammates and Scott Kazmir faced off against the Mets for the first time since September 6, 2013 at Progressive Field, when he earned the victory with a 12 strikeout, six inning performance with the Cleveland Indians.
On a cool night at the stadium, the Mets offense, which has been struggling for most of the season, went to work on the organizations once highly touted top pitching prospect, and knocked him out of the game after only three innings. The Mets launched three home runs, drove in 10 runs on 12 hits and came away with a 10-1 victory. Kazmir tossed three innings, allowed seven earned runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out four, and took the loss to drop his record to 9-3.
Colon on the other hand, threw an excellent game, tossing eight innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and struck out eight batters to earn his eighth win of the season. The lone run came in the first inning after he retired the first two hitters. Oakland’s Brandon Moss singled and then scored on an RBI double by Yoenis Cespedes to center field which flew over the head of Chris Young, and quickly the A’s were up 1-0. But Colon settled down from there and didn’t allow an extra base hit the rest of the game. Colon also went 1 for 2 at the plate, with a sacrifice bunt.
Offensively, the Mets were running on all cylinders and never looked back after scoring three runs in the second inning.
Eric Campbell started it off hitting a double to right field then would score when Curtis Granderson launched his 10th home run on the season over the right field fence to put the Mets on top 2-1. Chris Young, who came into the game fighting to save his job, followed with a blast of his own over the left field fence, making it back-to-back shots.
In the third inning, Daniel Murphy singled up the middle, and David Wright, who came into the game with a seven game hit streak and also had driven in at least one RBI in six consecutive games, doubled into the right field corner. Grandy then hit an RBI ground out to first base to score Murphy and put the Mets up 4-1.
After a Chris Young walk, Travis d’Arnaud launched a towering shot over the left field wall for a three run home run, boosting his confidence in his first game back since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Chris Young hit his second home run on the night, which was also his 12th career multi-home run game, putting the Mets up 8-1.
In the sixth inning, Ruben Tejada was hit by a pitch and moved over to second base after Colon grounded out. After moving to third on a single by Eric Young Jr, Murphy hit an RBI single to left center field scoring Tejada, then moving to second base on the throw. Wright then grounded out scoring EY Jr from third to add the final run of the game.
Game Notes:
The last time the Mets hit four home runs in a game was May 12th against the Yankees.
Wright extended his hitting streak to eight straight games and drove in his seventh run in seven straight games.
The Mets improved to 36-41 and are only five games out of first place and have a three game winning streak.
Curtis Granderson reached base safely and continued his career-high streak which is now at 32 games.
What’s Next:
The Mets close out their two game series with the A’s on Wednesday at Citi Field, with Zack Wheeler (3-7, 3.93) taking the mound against Oakland starter Brad Mills (0-0, 4.50).
(Photo Credit: Kathy Willens/AP and Mike Stobe/GETTY)
