What Happened, In One Sentence
The Rockies scored four runs after a blown call at home plate in the third, winning 7-4.
Reversal of Coors Field Fortune for Verrett
Logan Verrett was spectacular in a spot start at Coors Field last year, striking out eight while only giving up one run in eight innings of work. Verrett didn’t give up a run in either of his spot starts in April. However, Verrett hadn’t pitched in nine days to prepare filling in for Steven Matz and the rust showed. Colorado scored a run in the first and the second. With two more runners on in the third, Verrett tried to use his slider to get the Rockies off balance. He walked Mark Reynolds, then nibbled around the plate to walk DJ LeMahieu and allow a run.
Controversial Call Helps Break Game Open
With the bases loaded and one out, No. 8 hitter Tony Wolters came up to face Verrett. Wolters swung over a 2-2 breaking ball out of the zone. Rookie umpire Carlos Torres called a foul tip. Television replays showed a distinct lack of contact, but the play was not reviewable. Terry Collins came out to argue and was ejected for the first time this season — the Mets manager said the call “cost (them) the game” during his postgame remarks. Wolters was able to stay in the at-bat. Four pitches later, the light-hitting catcher doubled to deep center, scoring two. Pitcher Eddie Butler made the second out on a poor squeeze down the first base line. Lucas Duda had a good chance to throw to third and get LeMahieu for the third out, but he didn’t attempt the throw. The Rockies leadoff hitter made the Mets pay with a two-run single. If Wolters was called out, there is a good chance that Butler makes an out and the Mets limit the damage to three runs. Instead, Verrett was pulled after 2.1 innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and three walks.
Mets Start a Comeback
Neil Walker broke out of his slump with a home run in the top of the fourth. Yoenis Cespedes doubled to the right center gap to lead off the sixth, advancing to third on a throwing error by Blackmon. Duda singled to drive him in. Former Met Gonzales Germen came in to replace Butler. Walker greeted him with a hard hit single past Reynolds at first base sending Duda to third. Asdrubal Cabrera grounded in to a double play but Duda was able to score the Mets fourth run. Germen walked Kevin Plawecki and Juan Lagares got a pinch hit single to bring the tying run to the plate. However, Curtis Granderson hit a ball right to LeMahieu to end the threat.
Stretched Bullpen Comes Up Big
Any team coming to Colorado needs a plan B in case the starting pitcher gets shelled. Verrett has been the Mets plan B for most of the season, but he started the game. Hansel Robles pitched two innings yesterday but was the first guy out of the bullpen to end the Rockies threat in the third. He only needed two pitches. Sean Gilmartin threw 92 pitches in Triple-A on Sunday and 43 in three innings on Thursday, but he was still asked to go two innings on Saturday. Robles, Gilmartin, Jim Henderson, Addison Reed and Antonio Bastardo combined to hold the Rockies to three baserunners over 5 1/3 innings, giving the Mets a few more chances to get even. David Wright led off the seventh with a double. Rene Rivera led off the ninth with a single. But the Mets couldn’t turn either hit in to a rally and were stuck at four runs.
What’s Next?
The Mets end their road trip with a 4:10 p.m. start. With tonight’s loss, they fall behind surprising Philadelphia to third place in the NL East.
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy – USA Today Sports