Flores' homer powers Mets over Phils
NEW YORK -- Three home runs helped the Mets burst out of a long weekend offensive drought, with Wilmer Flores' three-run shot in the sixth propelling New York to a 6-3 win over the Phillies at Citi Field.
"The home runs were a big difference today," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "That's something we have not been doing."
Flores, Michael Cuddyer and Lucas Duda all went deep in support of Bartolo Colon, who earned his seventh win by holding Philadelphia to three runs over six innings. Colon struck out six, walked two and allowed a two-run single to Chase Utley in the third. Ryan Howard drove in the other Philadelphia run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
"I do feel as a team we are playing better," said Howard, whose team has lost five of seven following a six-game winning streak. "You've got to continue to try to find the positives. The results aren't necessarily there all the time. But you just have to continue to try to find the positive in each day and try to carry it over."
Flores' blast off Justin De Fratus scored Cuddyer and Daniel Murphy, who also added an RBI single. The homer gave the Mets their first win in four tries and Flores sole possession of the Major-lead homer lead among shortstops, with seven.
"When he gets to the 400 at-bat mark this guy is going to have some pretty impressive numbers," Collins said. "I just know he's a good hitter. He's a clutch hitter with guys on base."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Colon nears goal: Colon said in Spring Training that he planned to collect at least three hits at the plate this season. Mark May 25 as the day he drew within one of that feat. Colon rifled a clean single to left in the fifth inning.
Video: PHI@NYM: Colon makes it to first with a base hit
"It's entertaining because we know he hates to hit. We also know he hates to run. So it's a bad combo when he's out there," Collins said. "But he said, 'One of these days, I'm going to ambush somebody.'" More >
Duda makes a fan's day: Duda sat out Sunday to nurse a slightly aggravated hamstring. The first baseman appeared fine when he launched his sixth homer of the year 452 feet into right field in the third inning, according to Statcast™. Duda's Memorial Day blast was caught by a sailor sitting just before the Shea Bridge. More >
Video: PHI@NYM: Military member corrals Duda's solo shot
Another short one for Gonzalez: Phillies right-hander Severino Gonzalez cannot get through a lineup more than twice. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings. In four starts this season, he has not pitched more than five innings. More >
Video: PHI@NYM: Gonzalez fans Recker as he loses his bat
Leaky Phillies bullpen: De Fratus replaced Elvis Araujo with a runner on first and no outs in the sixth inning. He walked Cuddyer on four pitches, then allowed a three-run home run to Flores to make it 6-3. De Fratus has allowed 7 of 9 inherited runners (77.8 percent) to score this season, which is the highest percentage in baseball among relievers with eight or more inherited runners.
Video: PHI@NYM: Araujo starts a double play to end threat
"It was tough to find the strike zone today," De Fratus said. "It was just a freak day." More >
QUOTABLE
"I ain't going to lie, I thought I had it. It would have been nice if it had gone. I guess it's knowing the field, knowing where the jetstream is." -- Howard, who flied out deep to center field with the bases loaded in the fifth inning
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Mets' eight-hit output was their best in four games. But despite the win, New York didn't completely escape its recent troubles making contact at the plate. With nine more strikeouts Monday, the Mets raised their strikeout total to 44 over the past four games.
Utley went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one walk. He is hitting .406 (13-for-32) with five doubles, one triple, six RBIs and a 1.111 OPS in his past 10 games.
PHILLIES FARM UPDATE
Outfielder Kelly Dugan, who ranks No. 16 among Phillies prospects according to MLBPipeline.com, will begin to play extended spring training games Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla. He has been sidelined with a stress fracture in his right foot.
WHAT'S NEXT
Phillies: In the second game of the series on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. ET, right-hander Jerome Williams hopes to finish May on a high note because so far it has been a tough one. He is 1-3 with a 7.03 ERA in five starts in May, following a solid April, when he went 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts.
Mets: New York turns to Jacob deGrom, who will have a tough time matching his last outing, when he struck out 11 over eight one-hit innings. The righty has won two straight starts and owns a 2.75 ERA overall.
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