Mets Defeat Rockies 3-2

As far as your standard game recaps go, there were a number of key moments late in the game that will be provided to explain why the New York Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-2 in a make-up game at Coors Field Thursday night.

Not pictured: tonight’s ugly loss. Image: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the 8th inning relief pitcher Matt Belisle surrendered a two-run home run to Marlon Byrd. With that swing of the bat Byrd turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. That spoiled an excellent start from Tyler Chatwood and that would eventually be the final score.

In the bottom of the 8th inning DJ LeMahieu opened the inning with a sharp single up the middle. With Corey Dickerson and the top of the order due up, LeMahieu went on first movement against LHP Scott Rice and got picked off. With that the tying run was no longer on the bases.

In that same inning Josh Rutledge reached as the tying run. He then advanced to second base on a wild pitch and was in scoring position for none other than Carlos Gonzalez. CarGo struck out.

In the bottom of the 9th inning Michael Cuddyer worked an outstanding at-bat and punched the ball into shallow right field. Seeing an opportunity to hustle and be aggressive, Cuddy tried to stretch it to second base. He was thrown out, and alas the potential tying run was erased once again. From there the Rockies went quietly into the Rocky Mountain evening and another tough loss was chalked up.

On second thought, those are a lot of defining moments. But even still, I am going on the record as saying that none of those, or even all of those put together, provide the best explanation as to why the Rockies fell to the lowly Mets on this night.

The Colorado Rockies lost this game when they failed to score more than two runs, at home, against starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner. No disrespect to Hefner, but the Rockies needed to touch him up, especially in this context when they so desperately needed a victory.

If the Rockies are going to get some wins on this home stand and hang around the meat of the NL West standings, their offense must get on track. That must happen immediately. Nights like tonight cannot keep happening, and the task will only be tougher against the San Francisco Giants this weekend.