RECAP: Bartolo Colon throws 6 strong innings vs. the Phillies. https://t.co/iTxB39Bmco #Mets pic.twitter.com/OdnynW0y6D
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 10, 2016
The New York Mets can’t put runs on the board as the Phillies blanked ’em and head into tomorrow’s rubber match looking to steal the series.
- New York Mets 0 (2-2 NOW)
- Philadelphia Phillies 1 (1-4 NOW)
- MLB, Final, Box Score
- Citi Field, Flushing, New York
By Jeremy Fialkow
The New York Mets are good.
The Philadelphia Phillies are bad.
Well, you wouldn’t have guessed it last night, but Philly won their first game of the year.
In all the Mets couldn’t muster any offense whatsoever, just three measly hits.
It’s time to start swinging the bats gentlemen.
Big Sexy: Bartolo Colon took the mound for his first start of the season, looking to tie Pedro Martinez for second in wins for Dominican Pitchers with his 219th.
His 7 Ks through 6.0 innings of work with only one earned run wasn’t enough to give Big Bart the record.
He was on from the start, striking out the first three of five batters looking before allowing his first hit.
Simply put, Bartolo was doing his thing. Locating to perfection, painting corners, and even stunningly hitting 92 mph on a fastball. That’s shocking velocity of a 42-year-old pitcher.
But somehow he was losing pitcher in the end.
Phillies’ Ryan Howard broke the ice with a leadoff homer in the 5th inning, the first home run allowed by Mets pitching staff this young season. That was the only blemish on Bart’s afternoon.
Final Stat line for Bartolo: 6IP, 7K, 1ER, Everybody's girlfriend, Everyone's heart in America
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) April 10, 2016
The Everything Man: Wilmer Flores made his first start of the season replacing David Wright, who was given a day off for rest.
The Citi Field faithful greeted Flores will wild cheers as the utility-man-in-the-making stepped to the plate and manned third base.
In his first at-bat he made it to first base after walking on four straight balls.
That scenario would repeat itself on his second at bat, but of course he was left on base in both instances.
New Addition: To be fair, the Mets’ infield defense has looked incredibly strong thus far in the season. It was certainly a major question mark heading into the year.
Asdrubal Cabrera, the new starting shortstop looks great in this first week of play.
He made another great grab ranging to his right to get Colon through a potentially rocky third inning.
He also balled at the plate, doubling in the 3rd, then hitting a two-strike single the saw him steal second on a ball in the dirt.
Who knows? Maybe, Cabrera can actually be a solid pickup this season.
The Struggle: Curtis Granderson and Yoenis Cesdpedes are still struggling…badly.
Cespedes finished 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts. He’s now 2-16 on the year, and heard his first boos from the Flushing faithful. He’s averaging .125 this young season.
Granderson went 0-for-3, lowering his season average to an atrocious .063.
Time to get going fellas.
What’s next: New York play the rubber match in the series finale today at 1:10 pm ET. Matt Harvey is on the mound looking to right his wrong against the Phillies’ Hellickson. The game is on at 1PM on SNY.
Only one word is necessary as it relates to Bartolo Colon…. "Grace." #Mets pic.twitter.com/DlHkiZMtKj
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) April 10, 2016
It's gonna be #BOOOO life for Yo until he breaks out of this season opening slump. Such is life.
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) April 10, 2016
Yoenis Cespedes is 2-for-16 with seven strikeouts to begin the season. And hearing a few boos.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) April 10, 2016
