Harvey goes eight as Mets blank Rockies
NEW YORK -- The Mets continued their nightly romp at Citi Field on Tuesday, parlaying Matt Harvey's eight shutout innings into a 4-0 win over the Rockies. It was the Mets' 40th win at home, matching their total for all of last season and tying the 2000 pennant-winning club for the best 58-game home record in franchise history.
Harvey delivered eight shutout innings, Ruben Tejada broke through with an RBI single and the Mets gelled all that into their fifth straight victory in Flushing, as well as their ninth overall in their last 11 games.
Video: COL@NYM: Tejada singles in run to break scoreless tie
"You've got to give it out to the fan base," Harvey said. "Day in, day out … it's just fun. It's fun being at home and playing. Doing what we're doing at home has obviously put us where we are right now."
Relying heavily on a fastball that sat at 96 mph, Harvey allowed just three baserunners over his first six innings, all of them on infield hits. But he was in line for a no-decision until Tejada singled home Michael Cuddyer in the sixth for the Mets' first run.
It was the only run that Rockies starter Chris Rusin allowed, scattering eight hits over six innings, but it was enough for Harvey to improve to 11-7 with his third straight victory.
Video: COL@NYM: Rusin fans five over six innings
The Mets' starter extended his scoreless-innings streak to 15, striking out four and walking no one. And the Mets provided plenty of late insurance thanks to Cuddyer, Juan Lagares and a shaky Rockies bullpen.
Video: COL@NYM: Lagares doubles in a pair to extend the lead
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Cuddyer's dash: It was Cuddyer who sparked the Mets' sixth-inning rally, singling with one out and stealing second base. Following a Travis d'Arnaud walk, Tejada slashed a single through the right side just deep enough for Cuddyer -- who returned from the disabled list Monday after missing two and a half weeks with knee inflammation -- to dash around and score.
Video: COL@NYM: Cuddyer makes a diving catch to rob Reyes
"The knee felt fine," Cuddyer said. "It felt nice to be able to contribute out on the field, rather than the cheerleader I was the past couple of weeks." More >
Video: COL@NYM: Cuddyer swipes second, advances on error
Should have hit an infield roller: With one out and down a run in the top of the seventh, Ben Paulsen lashed a double to left for the Rockies' fourth hit, but their first to make it out of the infield. Yet Harvey kept the Rockies scoreless, as DJ LeMahieu's liner -- seemingly headed into right -- landed in the glove of Mets second baseman Wilmer Flores, who doubled up Paulsen.
"You try to compete in that situation," LeMahieu said. "He's a tough pitcher. When you get opportunities, you need to take advantage of them. But we really didn't have too many opportunities in general tonight."
Video: COL@NYM: Flores snags liner, doubles off Paulsen
The Dark Knight rises (to the occasion): Harvey needed just 10 pitches to dispatch the Rockies in the eighth, finishing with 97. Mets manager Terry Collins removed him at that point, with an eye toward his ever-looming regular-season innings limit. More >
Video: COL@NYM: Harvey, Lagares, and Cuddyer on win
Not getting it done: Recently removed from the Rockies' closer role, John Axford bounced back with two solid outings against the Nationals during a weekend series, but gave up a hit and two walks Tuesday to load the bases with two outs in the eighth. Then for the second straight night, lefty Boone Logan allowed three inherited runners to score. Axford is eligible for arbitration this winter and Logan has a year left on a three-year, $16.5 million deal, but the end of the season could see others auditioning for late-game roles.
"It's possible," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "We've got some guys out there. We had a couple guys down tonight." More >
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Mets pitchers did not walk a batter for the third consecutive game, extending their franchise record to 20 such games this season. The team's three-game walkless streak is tied for tops in the Majors this season.
Video: COL@NYM: O'Flaherty retires Arenado, Mets set record
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado beat out a throw from Tejada with two out in the fourth, but needed a manager's challenge and a 40-second replay review before being awarded his infield hit.
Video: COL@NYM: Arenado credited with a single after review
WHAT'S NEXT
Rockies: Lefty Jorge De La Rosa (7-4, 4.85 ERA) shook off a mini-slump, and the team has won his last two starts. He'll face the Mets on Wednesday at 5:10 p.m. MT (850 KOA/Root Sports Rocky Mountain).
Mets: Outfielder Curtis Granderson, who received a routine off-day on Tuesday, should be back in the lineup Wednesday for a 7:10 p.m. ET game against the Rockies. The Mets are not quite so certain they will have first baseman Lucas Duda, who missed Tuesday's game with a stiff back. But they may not need much offense with right-hander Jacob deGrom, who has delivered five consecutive quality starts with a 1.56 ERA over his last 14 outings, on the mound.
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