Mets use big 7th inning to rally past Rockies
NEW YORK -- A return to their little slice of Queens, jammed between Roosevelt Avenue and the Grand Central Parkway, was apparently all the Mets needed to rediscover their winning ways. The Mets' 4-2 win over the Rockies on Monday was their eighth win in 10 games and their fourth straight at Citi Field, resulting in their best home record ever through 57 games there.
Daniel Murphy's two-run single off Boone Logan in the seventh spoiled the second career start of Rockies starter Jon Gray, who sailed through six innings, but was on a strict pitch count. Gray allowed just one run -- a Travis d'Arnaud solo homer in the second -- over six innings, but a Mets team that has held a lead in 11 consecutive games began rallying as soon as he departed. That improved them to 39-18 at Citi Field, tying them with the 1985 and 2000 Mets clubs for the best home record in franchise history through 57 games.
"It was one of those games that, probably a year ago, we didn't win that game," manager Terry Collins said. "But with what they're doing right now, the confidence that they have, [now] we win those kinds of games."
For much of the night, it was Colorado that held a lead thanks to Carlos Gonzalez's two-run homer in the fourth off Jon Niese, who allowed nothing else over seven innings. Niese watched from the bench as the Mets' offense turned a would-be loss into his seventh victory, with Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia nailing down the final six outs.
Video: COL@NYM: Niese allows two runs over seven for the win
Rockies manager Walt Weiss was nonetheless happy with Gray's performance on a pitch count. "He commanded power stuff and was in control all night," Weiss said. "Great showing by him."
Video: COL@NYM: Familia fans Paulsen to end the game
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Late rally: Struggling to put anything together against Gray, the Mets took advantage as soon as the rookie left the game. After New York loaded the bases in the seventh inning on a single and two walks off Justin Miller, Logan hit Curtis Granderson with a pitch to force in the tying run. Murphy grounded the next pitch past shortstop to plate two and give the Mets a 4-2 lead.
"It was good at-bat after good at-bat," Murphy said. "It was really good at-bats there in the seventh inning, and fortunately I was able to dribble one through the hole." More >
Video: COL@NYM: Murphy singles in two, puts Mets in front
Smooth through trouble: Other than the d'Arnaud homer, Gray sailed until the fifth, when Niese drew a two-out walk and Ruben Tejada reached on a tough error on second baseman DJ LeMahieu -- who slid to make a play, looked to second then threw wide to first. To make it tougher on himself, Gray's wild pitch moved the runners up a base and fell behind, 3-1, before forcing Granderson to pop a 97-mph fastball to third baseman Nolan Arenado.
"I was really thinking I don't want to walk him right here -- he's going to have to hit to get on," Gray said. "I challenged him inside and got him out. But it was a great job by Nick [Hundley, the catcher]. He really knows how to throw to guys." More >
Video: COL@NYM: Gray limits Mets to one hit, one run in six
Not this time: Miller entered Monday with a 1.26 ERA in 14 appearances, and lately has earned chances in tight games, with two of his last four appearances being close. This time, however, Miller entered in the seventh with a one-run lead but gave up a hit and two walks, then watched the Mets flip the game in their favor against Logan.
"Just command -- the walks ended up hurting us," Weiss said. "But he's thrown the ball very well for us. A little tough tonight but he's been good."
Video: COL@NYM: Grandy gets hit by a pitch, ties the game
QUOTABLE
"When I hit that two-run home run and we took the lead, Niese did a tremendous job. He never put his head down. He continued to pitch." -- Gonzalez, on how Niese rebounded from his homer and gave the Mets a chance to win
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, now with the Rockies, has appeared in more games at Citi Field this season (three) than David Wright (two). Wright, who has been sidelined since April due to spinal stenosis, began a rehab assignment on Monday night for Class A St. Lucie. More >
Video: COL@NYM: Wright improving, plays in rehab game
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Umpires needed only a few moments under the hood to overturn a would-be double play in the fourth inning, which Kyle Parker avoided by beating Tejada's throw by half a step. Parker received his base, but the Rockies did not score again in the inning.
Video: COL@NYM: Parker gets first after out call overturned
WHAT'S NEXT
Rockies: Lefty Chris Rusin (3-4, 4.66 ERA) has faced tough luck, with no wins in his last eight games even though he is just 0-2. He'll face the Mets for the first time this season on Tuesday at Citi Field at 5:10 p.m. MT (850 KOA/Root Sports Rocky Mountain).
Mets: Back in a groove, right-hander Matt Harvey will put his recent run of success on the line Tuesday when he faces the Rockies in a 7:10 p.m. ET game. In nine starts since June 16, Harvey is 4-3 with a 1.64 ERA. Outfielder Michael Cuddyer should also return to the starting lineup after spending his first game back from the DL on the bench.
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