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New York Mets Led By Bartolo Colon On Mound, With Bat In Win Over Atlanta Braves

By Kenneth Teape

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Final. 3. 17. 4. 3

New York Mets Are Led By Bartolo Colon On The Mound And At The Plate in Win Over Atlanta Braves

The New York Mets were able to avoid the sweep Sunday afternoon, defeating the Atlanta Braves and giving them their first loss of the season. Once again offense was rather tough to come by in a game involving the Mets, but they were able to squeak out enough offense to pick up the win and salvage the series without being swept.

With a left-handed starter opposing them, and multiple regulars getting the days off, Juan Lagares was re-inserted as the leadoff hitter for the Mets today. He did nothing to solidify himself as a regular for the spot, going 0-5 from the plate and seeing only 10 pitches. He has had a tough start to the season at the plate, getting only four hits in 25 at-bats thus far with zero walks.

One player who was able to get it going today with the bat was starting pitcher Bartolo Colon. Colon, who sets the internet ablaze whenever he steps to the plate, delivered an RBI single in the second inning to help get himself and the Mets the lead once again.

The Mets staked Colon to an early 2-0 lead courtesy of a Michael Cuddyer long ball, but he gave them right back in the bottom of the second when Andrelton Simmons tripled home Jonny Gomes and Alberto Callaspo.

Colon’s RBI single gave the Mets a 3-2 lead they would hold onto into the seventh inning, when the Braves once again tied it up with a Gomes solo home run. Colon was able to get out of the inning without anymore damage being done, delivering another quality performance. It was not as dominant as his Opening Day start, but good enough to earn him his second victory of the season.

He finished the day with seven innings pitched, allowing six hits and no walks that led to three runs to go along with five strikeouts. He only needed 77 pitches to get through those seven innings, but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth.

The pinch-hitting change proved to be a smart decision, as Daniel Murphy came through with a sac fly, scoring Curtis Granderson. That proved to be the deciding run in the game, and the first on that the Braves bullpen has surrendered this season.

The Mets then mixed and matched their way through the eighth and ninth innings on the mound. Carlos Torres got the first batter he faced, but surrendered an infield single to Jace Peterson. He was relieved by Jerry Blevins, who came through with a clean inning of work, including two strikeouts.

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Jeurys Familia was then called upon to get the final two outs of the game, and came through by striking out Gomes and forcing Phil Gosselin to fly out to centerfield. It was the first save of the season for Familia, who will be replacing the suspended Jenrry Familia for the time being.

Next up for the Mets is their first home series of the season. The Mets season opener at Citi Field will be Monday afternoon, as Jacob deGrom will take the mound against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, and be opposed by Aaron Harang. This will be the start of a 10-game homestand for the Mets where we will start to see if they truly are a pretender or a playoff contender for the 2015 season.

Next: Which New York Mets Should You Target In Fantasy Baseball Drafts?

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