Rockies Win Again in NY, Top Mets 6-2
Pitching for the first time since May 1st, starter Jhoulys Chacin threw six strong innings in his return from the DL, leading the Colorado Rockies (48-73) to a 6-2 road win over the New York Mets (57-66). Game 3 of the four-game series is tonight at 5:10 MT at Citi Field (TV: Root Sports).
Chacin delivered six brilliant innings in his return from the disabled list, giving up just one run on four hits and striking out two — all with two pitches to spare (he threw 73). Colorado’s win earned Chacin his first victory since Aug 28, 2011.
Chacin’s firm control over his fastball was the most impressive part of his performance. Chacin got plenty of criticism for his lack of fastball command before he hit the disabled list, though his 7.30 ERA through his first five starts didn’t give him much of a leg to stand on.
“Today, my arm felt free, and I wasn’t trying to throw too hard,” Chacin said. “Just locating my pitch, throw a strike and make them swing — that’s how you get quick outs.”
But as great as Chacin was, Mets starter Chris Young was better — at least through five innings.
It took the Rockies until the sixth inning to get a hit — or even reach base — against Young, who was perfect through the first five frames. But DJ LeMahieu broke up the bid to lead off the sixth inning, and Colorado followed by putting four runs on the board before tacking on solo runs in the eighth and ninth.
Jonathan Herrera followed with a single of his own to move LeMahieu to third. Chacin then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Young’s throw to first sailed well over the head of Daniel Murphy and into shallow right field to allow LeMahieu to score. Two more singles and a sac fly followed as Young’s bid for perfection — and a 1-0 Mets lead — suddenly turned on its head.
It was the Mets’ aggressive baserunning that resulted in Collins’ fifth-inning ejection.
Andres Torres was initially ruled safe at second after getting caught in a rundown attempting to steal third, but Tracy ran out to argue and the ruling was overturned. Collins then took his turn — replays later indicated that Torres was tagged not once, but twice well before he touched the bag — and was tossed soon after.
Official: Tuesday’s Box Score.
Overall, Young was solid for the Mets — his final pitching line included a season-high nine strikeouts, and only two of the four runs he surrendered over seven innings were earned. But he fell into the same trap that has daunted him all year, and Colorado capitalized.
Sustainability has been Young’s Achilles’ heel in 2012 — entering Tuesday’s start, opposing batters boasted a .347 batting average against him the third time through the lineup.
Young pitched good enough to get the win, but the Mets’ inability to manufacture runs — credit Chacin and four Colorado relievers — was ultimately the downfall. The win marked Colorado’s seventh in its last nine games, and sixth straight at Citi Field.
Tickets are available for the Rockies’ next home game at Coors Field vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 27th, and can be purchased by calling (800) 388-ROCK, or click here.
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