The Mets (67-56) completed the sweep of the Colorado Rockies (49-73) this afternoon at Coors Field by a score of 5-1.
Pitching:
Logan Verrett was just what the doctor ordered in a spot start today. The rookie tossed eight very impressive innings, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out eight and walking just one. Verrett picks up his first big league win in his first career start.
Verrett got off to a bit of a shaky start, as he let up consecutive singles to start the ballgame, but was able to buckle down as he induced a double play and got assistance from Wilmer Flores, who made a great diving stop at short and threw the runner out for the third out of the inning.
The only run against Verrett came in the fourth inning, when Carlos Gonzalez took him deep for his 30th homer of the year, the only blemish against him.
In the sixth inning, the Rockies posed a minor threat, but with two outs, Charlie Blackmon tried advancing from first to third on a hit and was thrown out by a mile by Michael Conforto.
Hansel Robles came on in the ninth inning with a four run lead, and despite letting up a lead off walk, was able to retire the next three batters in a row to secure the win and the sweep for the Amazin’s.
Offense:
The Mets brought their bats again today, scoring in the top of the first inning against opposing pitcher David Hale to put the Rockies in an immediate hole.
Curtis Granderson walked to start the frame, and then stole second base. Daniel Murphy then hit a double to deep center that scored Granderson.
In the second inning, Wilmer Flores was hit by a pitch and then moved up to third on a Michael Conforto single. Conforto would reach second on the play due to a throwing error, giving the Mets runners on second and third with nobody out.
Anthony Recker came to the plate looking to do some damage, and didn’t actually have to do anything as two runs with score with the bat still on his shoulder, as David Hale threw two straight wild pitches to score Flores and Conforto respectively.
In the third inning, Daniel Murphy singled and advanced to second on yet another wild pitch from David Hale. Murphy then scored on a flair off the bat of Wilmer Flores that landed in right field.
The next Met to bat was Michael Conforto, who singled to put runners on the corners. Anthony Recker then tacked on another run for New York as he drove Flores in with a double.
After a rocky start, David Hale actually settled down, retiring the final ten Mets to face him, as well as striking out nine. However, it wouldn’t matter as the damage the Mets inflicted early on was enough to carry them to victory.
The 33 runs scored by the Mets in the series are franchise record for them in a three-game series. The previous mark was 32 runs, done twice before. (2011 at Tigers, 2000 at Rockies)
With Washington also winning this afternoon, the Mets cushion in the NL East remains at 5 games up.
On deck:
The Mets start a four game series in Philadelphia starting tomorrow. Jacob deGrom (12-6, 1.98 ERA) will get the ball for the opener, and takes on Adam Morgan (4-4, 3.92 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
