Just Mets

The Mets salvaged the final game of their three-game series with the Braves, defeating the Braves 4-3 at a Turner Field on Sunday. Here are my takeaways from today’s game…

Bartolo Colon had himself a day.

Colon gave up three runs, but He probably should’ve only given up the one run on the home run by Jonny Gomes in the seventh inning. He gave up two runs in the second thanks to Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores being unable to turn a double play, prolonging the inning which allowed Andrelton Simmons an opportunity. Simmons took advantage and drove in two on a triple.

Colon was otherwise great. He threw 77 pitches, 60 of which were strikes. His fastball was painting the corners with movement all afternoon and he had pinpoint control the entire day. He’s creative and crafty out there, and when he’s down in the zone he’s fun to watch.

On top of all of that, he helped his own cause at the plate for a change. He drove in a run in the fourth inning to give the Mets the lead, his first RBI in ten years. His helmet came off in the process, which was so Bart. Fun moment.

By the way, Colon now has more RBI this season than Curtis Granderson…

Michael Cuddyer woke up.

Cuddyer had nine strikeouts and was doing nothing at the plate coming into today’s game, but he gave the Mets an early lead in the first inning with a two-run home run.

He wasn’t going to hit .200 forever, but the strikeouts were a little surprising. He was fanned again today to give him ten over the first six games, but it was nice to see the team’s key acquisition get in the middle of things today. I wonder if he was pressing a little bit before today.

Whatever the case is, hopefully he got his season rolling today.

Lucas Duda hit left-handed pitching today.

Duda is certainly doing everything he can to show he can hit left-handed pitching. He did it during camp and that has continued into the regular season.

Duda had two hits against LHP Alex Wood and one hit one hit against LHP Andrew McKirahan on Sunday.

He’s now 3-for-5 against southpaws so far this season. Most important, as was the case in the ninth inning today in particular, Duda is continuing to hit to all fields against left-handers as well. That is perhaps the best sign of all now that the games count.

Other notes from Sunday:

Pinch hitting for Colon in the eighth, Daniel Murphy drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. It was his second RBI of the year.

David Wright had two more hits on Sunday – he went 5-for-11 in the series against Atlanta.

Carlos Torres and Jerry Blevins combined to strand the tying run at second in the eighth inning.

Granderson pinch hit in the ninth inning, walked and ultimately scored the go-ahead run on Murphy’s sacrifice fly.