Rockies Vs. Mets Final Score: Colorado Wins, 9-4, To Sweep Four-Game Series With Mets

The National League West better take note of the Colorado Rockies, who are now 10-2 (7-1 road) following their doubleheader sweep on Thursday afternoon. The Rockies took the second game of the doubleheader, 9-4, to complete the four-game series sweep.

Troy Tulowitzki was once again the cog that makes the Colorado Rockies' offense run. He hit his seventh home run of the season and his fourth in this series alone. For the complete series, Tulowitzki went 10-for-16 with four home runs and eight RBI.

Perhaps the most amazing things from this game was Jonathan Herrera's three-run home run in the sixth inning, just the second of his career. Waiting by the dugout, Tulowitzki couldn't help but smile, while Taylor Buchholz, the former Rockies who allowed the home run, looked on in disbelief.

That sixth inning was all kinds of good for the Rockies. Entering the inning down 4-2, Troy Tulowitzki led off the inning with his home run to make it a one-run game. Two singles and a walk later, Jorge De La Rosa reached on a fielder's choice that scored Todd Helton. Dexter Fowler hit his second RBI single of the game to put the Rockies in the lead. And to top everything off, Herrera hit his home run to right field. In the top of the ninth, Ty Wigginton added an RBI single.

Starter Jorge De La Rosa allowed all four runs (two in the second, two in the fourth) in 6 2/3 innings, waled four and struck out seven to pick up the win. The bullpen of Matt Reynolds, Rafael Betancourt and Felipe Paulino held the Mets hitless over the remaining 2 1/3 innings of the game, Paulio striking out two.

This was the first four-game sweep at the hands of an opponent for the Mets at home since 2004.

The first-place Rockies return to Coors Field on Friday to kick off a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs.

Rockies Vs. Mets: Colorado Goes For Series Sweep In Second Game Of Doubleheader

After a comeback 6-5 victory in the first game of the doubleheader, the Colorado Rockies (9-2) turn to Jorge De La Rosa with an opportunity to sweep their four game series against the New York Mets (4-8). De La Rosa had a rough outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates in his previous outing, giving up two runs in only five innings pitched but suffering from the cold weather and inconsistent control. De La Rosa looks to bounce back against a Mets team that has scored first in every game of the series, only to lose that initial lead.

The Mets turn to Chris Capuano for the second game of this doubleheader. Capuano won his only start of the 2011 season, pitching six innings and allowing four runs against the Washington Nationals. Capuano pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010, going 4-4 with a 3.95 ERA.

He’ll have to deal with red-hot Rockies’ SS Troy Tulowitzki, who went 3-4 and has hit a homerun in every single game of the series so far. This time, he went back to back with LF Carlos Gonzalez, who hit his first homerun of the young season — a two-run blast that blew the first game of the doubleheader wide open.

The Rockies had lost their eight previous series in New York against the Mets. They are looking to sweep the Mets and improve their MLB-best record to a sparkling 10-2 record, with both losses in extra innings.

Rockies Vs. Mets: Colorado Takes First Game Of Doubleheader, 6-5

The Colorado Rockies faced a doubleheader against the New York Mets with one mission: win at least one game and take their second consecutive road series. They were depending on RHP Greg Reynolds to keep them in the game for the second consecutive start, and Reynolds delivered.

Reynolds threw 5.0 innings, only allowing five hits, including bloop doubles to Daniel Murphy and Jose Reyes. Most of the contact off Reynolds' was soft bloop hits just past a diving infielder as he looked sharp in his second start since 2008. Reynolds will likely be sent back to AAA Colorado Springs to make room for the return of ace RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, who is scheduled to start on April 18 against the San Francisco Giants. Reynolds ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Mets strung together weak hit after weak hit to cause traffic on the basepaths. Mets RF Scott Hairston hit a soft liner to right field, scoring 1B Ike Davis and giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

Offensively, the Rockies had plenty of chances against Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, but had trouble converting those baserunners into runs. With runners on second and third, backup catcher Jose Morales ground out to first base to end the scoring threat. With the bases loaded in the third inning, Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki ground into a double play on a 3-1 count, ending the inning.

The Rockies finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning, as Morales walked, then was sacrificed into scoring position by Reynolds. After a Dexter Fowler fly ball fell for a double, Seth Smith grounded out to first base and scoring Morales from third to cut the Mets' lead down to 2-1. Morales hit a two-run double in the top of the sixth inning, giving Colorado a 3-2 lead.

Carlos Gonzalez hit his first homerun of the season against Mets reliever Bobby Parnell, a two run blast down the right field line that gave Colorado a 5-2 lead they would not relinquish. Tulowitzki immediately followed with his sixth homerun of the season, pushing the lead to 6-2.

A Jose Reyes homerun in the seventh inning closed the gap to 6-3, and Scott Hairston hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning off Huston Street to make the score 6-5. The Mets forced the bases loaded against Rockies reliever Matt Lindstrom, with David Wright at the plate. He forced a full count before flying out to deep right field to end the threat and give Colorado the victory.

Greg Reynolds gets the win, his first since 2008. The Mets' R.A. Dickey gets tagged with the loss.

Rockies Vs. Mets: Colorado Has Chance At Series Sweep With Doubleheader On Tap

The Colorado Rockies partake in a traditional (single-admission) doubleheader on Thursday afternoon following Tuesday's rainy cancellation of the night's game. At 8-2 (5-1 road) the Rockies have the best winning percentage in baseball (0.800) and the best road record. By the end of the day, a 10-2 record could be possible, something no one likely thought entering the season. So far, this is a Rockies team that can win on the road.

In the first game of the series, Greg Reynolds makes what will likely be his last start for the Rockies for some time. Reynolds was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs when Ubaldo Jimenez went on the disabled list with a cut on his right thumb cuticle shortly after his Opening Day start. He made a start on April 9 against the Pirates, running into early trouble but finishing his appearance with six innings pitched and two runs allowed. The Rockies won 6-4.

The Mets counter with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who is coming off a loss to the Washington Nationals on April 8. In that start, Dickey allowed three runs in five innings and issued five walks. Will he be able to fool the Rockies with his knuckleball this afternoon?

Here is the Rockies' lineup for the first game:

CF Dexter Fowler
RF Seth Smith
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
1B Jason Giambi
2B Jose Lopez
3B Ian Stewart
C Jose Morales
P Reynolds

Expect changes in the lineup for game two (most likely at catcher and first base).

First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. MT, and the second game will follow almost immediately with Jorge De La Rosa and Chris Capuano taking the mound. MLB Network will air the first game, but there will be no coverage in Colorado for the second game.

Rockies Vs. Mets Final Score: Troy Tulowitzki Power Surge Continues, Sends Colorado To 5-4 Victory

Entering Wednesday night's contest with the New York Mets, the Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki had eight hits, four of which went for home runs. By the end of the Rockies' 5-4 victory over the Mets on Wednesday, Tulowitzki had 11 hits on the season, five of which went for home runs. Tulowitzki's fifth homer of the season was a three-run shot in the fifth inning, putting the Rockies up, 4-3, at that point.

Ryan Spilborghs added his first home run of the season in the sixth inning to give the Rockies a 5-3 lead. An Angel Pagan sacrifice fly in the seventh inning brought the game to its final score, 5-4.

Rockies starter Esmil Rogers wasn't able to repeat his first start, which he threw 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball. Still, Rogers was able to make it through 5 2/3 innings, leaving with the 5-3 lead. In the sixth inning, Rogers appeared to be unable to complete a smooth delivery and finished his outing with four walks and just two strikeouts. He allowed those three runs on a Carlos Beltran RBI double in the first inning, a wild pitch in the second inning and a Daniel Murphy RBI double in the fourth inning.

Matt Reynolds, Felipe Paulino, Matt Lindstrom and Huston Street finished the game for the Rockies, the latter picking up his sixth save of the season.

Other Notes
Todd Helton hit his first double of the season in the second inning... Jonathan Herrera has four stolen bases after stealing second and third in the seventh inning... Mets starter Jon Niese allowed all five runs and left after the sixth inning... The Rockies are on a four-game winning streak and are 8-2 on the season... The Rockies and the Mets will conclude the four-game series with a doubleheader on Thursday. Greg Reynolds will start the first game and Jorge De La Rosa will start the second game. The Mets will have R.A. Dickey and Chris Capuano on the mound.

Rockies Vs. Mets Score: Tulowitzki Homers To Give Rockies Lead

Despite being down 2-0 early in the game, the Colorado Rockies hold a 5-3 lead after the sixth inning. Troy Tulowitzki remains the engine that powers the Colorado Rockies. He led the fourth inning with a double, moved to third on a Jose Lopez ground out and then scored on a Todd Helton single.

But he saved the big blast for the fifth inning. Seth Smith walked and Jonathan Herrera singled to have men on first and second for Troy Tulowitzki after a Carlos Gonzalez ground out. After taking a strike to start the plate appearance, Tulowitzki homered to right field, just a few feet away from the foul pole, giving the Rockies a 4-3 lead.

In the sixth inning, Ryan Spilborghs hit his first home run of the season to extend the Rockies' lead to 5-3.

Esmil Rogers gutted out 5 2/3 innings, allowing a two-out Jose Reyes double and a Daniel Murphy RBI double in the fourth inning. He left after getting the second out of the sixth inning, giving way to Matt Reynolds, The reliever did his job, getting Murphy to ground out. Rogers' final line was 5 2/3 innings, 106 pitches, four walks, three runs allowed and two strikeouts.

Rockies Vs. Mets Score: New York Out To Early 2-0 Lead

The Colorado Rockies are down, 2-0, after three innings of play on a dreary Thursday night in Flushing, NY. While it is not raining there currently, it's not exactly baseball weathers. Nor is it the score the Rockies would have hoped for early in the game.

Mets starter Jon Niese has held the Rockies to two hits on 44 pitches. He has struck out four batters while walking only one. Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton have singles, with Chris Iannetta drawing the walk. Carlos Gonzalez has two of Niese's four strikeouts.

The Mets scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the first after a Daniel Murphy walk that led to a Carlos Beltran double off the walk two batters later. In the second inning, Esmil Rogers allowed a leadoff single to Angel Pagan, who moved to second base on a Willie Harris walk. Pitcher Jon Niese sacrificed to advance the runners to second and third. And then a wild pitch scored Pagan before Jose Reyes lined out to second baseman Jonathan Herrera.

The Mets threatened in the third inning when Esmil Rogers walked two batters and allowed a single to load the bases, all occurring with two outs on the board. However, a fly out to center field on a 3-2 pitch ended the inning.

Rockies Vs. Mets: Esmil Rogers Hopes For Better Weather On Wednesday

After Tuesday's rainout, the Rockies and Mets will makeup that game as part of a traditional double-header on Thursday afternoon, but there is still Wednesday's game to play. Esmil Rogers and Jon Niese, Tuesday's scheduled starters, will pitch in this midweek contest. Hopefully the extra day won't put either pitcher off their game, allowing for a strong pitchers' duel.

However, it is once again a dreary day in Flushing. While during the day rain is not expected (at least nothing more than a light drizzle), showers are supposedly set to hit right before game time. No one wants a rainout for two days in a row.

Given that the Mets are still starting Jon Niese, it's likely that Jim Tracy will go with some form of the lineup he was prepared to play with in Tuesday's contest:

RF Seth Smith
2B Jonathan Herrera
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
3B Jose Lopez
1B Todd Helton
CF Ryan Spilborghs
C Chris Iannetta
P Esmil Rogers

Todd Helton's back obviously feels better, allowing him to start, but Ryan Spilborghs may not be in this game. He was set to give Dexter Fowler the night off. If he is in the lineup, Fowler will lead off, moving Smith to seventh in the lineup most likely.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. MT

Tuesday's Rockies-Mets Game Postponed; Double Header On Thursday

Tuesday's Rockies-Mets game has been canceled due to poor weather conditions. It has rained in New York and in large sections of the Eastern seaboard for most of the day. The game will be made up as part of a single-admission double header on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. MT.

The pitching matchups for the next three games will be Esmil Rogers on Wednesday, Greg Reynolds in Game 1 on Thursday and Jorge De La Rosa in Game 2. De La Rosa had been scheduled to start Wednesday's game, but the rain out has forced a slight shuffle in the rotation to keep things in line.

First pitch for Wednesday night's game is still scheduled for 5:10 p.m. MT.

Rockies Vs. Mets: Esmil Rogers Makes Second Start Of Season

Coming off a back-and-forth 7-6 victory over the New York Mets on Monday night, the Colorado Rockies send Esmil Rogers out to the mound for Tuesday's contest. Rogers threw a gem in his first of the season when he pitched in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Picking up the win, he limited the Pirates to one run on four hits and a walk in 7 1/3 innings, striking out seven in the process. It was an Ubaldo-like performance, but can he repeat it?

The Mets will counter with Jon Niese, who is making his third start of the season. Niese started off well enough when he allowed two runs in seven innings on April 2 against the Marlins, but he received a no-decision because he departed with the game tied. Closer Francisco Rodriguez blew the save opportunity after the Mets had a lead entering the bottom of the ninth. Three runs in the top of the 10th gave the Mets the victory.

Niese's second start came against the Philadelphia Phillies, an offensive juggernaut so far this season. Niese allowed six runs before leaving after four innings of work, but he did strike out seven batters (Philly's offense averages 6.56 runs per game and has a major league-best .865 OPS).

Game time is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. MT, but rain is in the forecast throughout the day and likely into Wednesday.

Rockies Final Score: Colorado Takes Series Opener, 7-6, On Tulowitzki HR

The Colorado Rockies continued their early season road success as they defeated the New York Mets, 7-6, improving their road record to 4-1 and their overall record to a sparkling 7-2, tying the best start in franchise history.

Starting pitcher Jason Hammel pitched well, surrendering two earned runs in six complete innings. But fielding errors by Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart allowed two more runs to cross the plate for the hometown Mets.

Offensively, Jonathan Herrera continued his torrid start to the season, doubling and scoring a run. RF Seth Smith had a big night at the plate, hitting a double and triple to start off two separate innings, though the Rockies were unable to bring him into score. Overall, the Rockies were 3-19 with runners in scoring position, stranding 12 baserunners. In the eighth inning, Dexter Fowler singled, advanced on a Herrera sacrifice, then took third base on a wild pitch by Mets reliever Bobby Parnell. Rockies LF Carlos Gonzalez hit a ball off of home plate that Parnell was unable to field, scoring Fowler for the go-ahead run. Tulowitzki followed with his fourth homerun of the season, a towering shot to left field that ended up scoring the winning runs.

Rafael Betancourt surrendered a David Wright homerun in the bottom of the inning, and Ike Davis singled home Carlos Beltran to pull the Mets within one. Rockies closer Huston Street ended any hope of Mets fans leaving victorious by closing the door in the bottom of the ninth inning with a perfect inning for his fifth save of the 2011 season.

The two teams continue their series on Tuesday evening, with Rockies RHP Esmil Rogers facing Mets LHP Niese. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. MDT.

Rockies Vs. Mets: Colorado Looks To Continue Early Road Success

The road was an unfriendly place for the 2010 Colorado Rockies. They were the worst road offense in the league by a significant margin last season, and it was a major reason why they missed the playoffs last season. Looking to improve their road hitting approach, Colorado hired Carney Lansford as their new hitting coach. Early reports are in, as the Rockies won their first road series of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates by scoring 22 runs in their first four games.

Colorado (6-2) will now head to Queens, where they will start a four game series against the New York Mets (4-4). The Mets have a 4-4 record and are coming off a series split versus the Washington Nationals. They are out to a 4-4 start on the season, and have enjoyed solid offensive production. 1B Ike Davis is enjoying a superlative beginning to his sophomore season, batting .345 with a 1.032 OPS, and stars 3B David Wright and RF Carlos Beltran are both doing their best to overcome last year's injuries. LF Willie Harris is enjoying a strong start as well.

On the mound, RA Dickey and offseason acquisition Chris Young have performed well in limited time. Former Rockies RHP Taylor Buchholz enjoyed a strong spring, and has produced well in his four appearances, allowing only a single run. D.J. Carrasco and Bobby Parnell have also helped stabilize a Mets bullpen that was below average last season.

The pitching matchups for the four game series are as follows:

Monday, April 10 5:10 p.m. MDT Jason Hammel vs Mike Pelfrey

Tuesday, April 11 5:10 p.m. MDT Esmil Rogers vs Jon Niese

Wednesday, April 12 5:10 p.m. MDT Jorge De La Rosa vs R.A. Dickey

Thursday, April 13 11:10 a.m. MDT Greg Reynolds vs Chris Capuano

This will likely be the last start for Reynolds in the rotation, as Ubaldo Jimenez appears to be recovering from his cuticle injury and will return to the rotation in time for his scheduled April 17 start against the Chicago Cubs.