At 43-years young, you would not think what you are witnessing could be real. Bartolo Colon has dazzled opposing teams in 2016, helping to carry an injury depleted Mets rotation.
Manager, Terry Collins for one could not fathom where this team may be if it was not for the masterful Colon.
“I said it a while ago, with all that happened this year, if we didn’t have him in our rotation, I don’t know where we would be right now,” Collins said.
It was just another night for Colon as he went seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. He walked two on the night while striking out six. Colon improved his record to 14-7 on the season while lowering the ERA to 3.14.
“We just keep looking at him and wondering when it’s not going to happen anymore, and I’m not sure anybody has an idea,” Collins said. “I think it’s going to be there for a long time.”
Friday’s victory was the 232nd of his career, third most all-time by a Latin American-born pitcher. He trails Dennis Martinez, who has 245 career wins and Juan Marichal, who has 243 career wins. Both are clearly in his sights.
Colon is now 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA since August 1 in nine starts. The Mets have won five of his last six starts. He has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts and 17 of his last 22 games.
It is interesting to wonder where the Mets may actually be if it wasn’t for Bartolo.
