The Mets got a much-needed win against the Rockies on Wednesday night, winning 5-3 in Colorado.
Here are the takeaways...
-Tied 2-2 in the top of the ninth inning in a game where Colorado’s bullpen was making quick work of the Mets following an injury to its starter, New York loaded the bases against Victor Vodnik to bring up Francisco Lindor.
Struggling at the plate recently, but with a hit earlier in the game, Lindor came in clutch and stroked a two-run single to left field that gave New York the lead. It was the big hit with runners in scoring position that had been eluding the Mets for the better part of two weeks and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
-For some added cushion, Jesse Winker singled in another run to put New York up by three runs before handing it off to Edwin Diaz to close it out. Winker, who was batting third, finished the night 3-for-5 after having just three hits in six games since being traded to the Mets.
-Diaz allowed a leadoff triple in the bottom of the ninth to remind everybody of the absurdity that can happen in Colorado. But despite a run scoring, the closer got the job done and struck out two of the next three batters to secure the win and nab his 14th save of the season.
-Paul Blackburn’s second start with the Mets was almost a carbon copy of his first one as the right-hander has proven to be a solid pickup by David Stearns at the trade deadline.
Pitching in Denver for just the second time in his career, Blackburn seemed unfazed by the thin air and high altitude of Coors Field and finished his night by going six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out six.
-The only real blemish on Blackburn’s ledger came in the second inning when Ezequiel Tovar skied one to center field that bounced off the top of the wall and over for a solo home run that tied the game at one. The home run was Tovar’s fourth against New York as the young shortstop continues to annihilate the Mets so far in his early career.
The Rockies scored off Blackburn again in the fourth inning, though this time he was burned by his defense and a fortunate hit. After a leadoff double to Brendan Rodgers, a passed ball by Francisco Alvarez moved him over to third where he was able to score off Kris Bryant’s swinging-bunt infield single that tied the game once again. Blackburn retired the next three batters and the run scored was unearned.
-Unfortunately for Blackburn, New York’s offense struggled to take advantage of hitter-friendly Coors Field yet again, scoring just two runs in the first eight innings to give the right-hander a no-decision.
It looked as though the Mets might break out against Colorado starter Ryan Feltner after Pete Alonso drove home Lindor with a single in the first inning to put New York up, 1-0.
However, Feltner – who entered the game with a 1-10 record and a 4.97 ERA (6.14 ERA at home) – exited the game after just one inning with an undisclosed injury, and although the Mets scored another run against reliever Noah Davis in the second, it was all they would score despite having a chance to tack on with runners on first and second and one out.
-Davis held New York in check from there, pitching four solid innings in long relief. Chasen Shreve, Angel Chivilli and Tyler Kinley each pitched a scoreless inning to send the game to the ninth inning tied at two.
-With the Atlanta Braves – now losers of four straight – falling to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, the Mets gained a game on their division rival and are now just 0.5 GB for the third NL Wild Card spot.
Game MVP: Francisco Lindor
Lindor finally got the big hit the Mets have been searching for, finishing 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored at the top of the order.