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.