ST. LOUIS -- Panic City!
Bartolo Colon was knocked around -- though not knocked out -- in a four-run first inning, and the Mets ultimately lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 12-2 Saturday at Busch Stadium.
Carlos Torres was warming up in the bullpen when Colon struck out Kolten Wong, the 10th batter of the first inning, on pitch No. 32 and left the bases loaded.
In his first action in 11 days, Colon went on to log 4 1/3 innings, which matched a season low. He allowed seven runs on eight hits with three walks (one intentional) and a hit batter. The final run charged to Colon came in a four-run fifth inning. Carlos Torres entered and surrendered a two-run homer to Randal Grichuk, which staked St. Louis to an 8-0 lead.
In two games against the Cardinals this season, Colon has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) on 19 hits and five walks in 8 2/3 innings.
Grichuk also produced a three-run homer in the eighth against Alex Torres to finish with six RBIs.
The Mets (47-44) have now dropped two straight games to open the second half. They are just beginning a stretch in which they face three straight first-place teams. Next, the Amazin's head to NL East-leading Washington before they return to Citi Field to face the Los Angeles Dodgers for four games.
With Saturday's defeat, the Mets dropped three games behind the Nationals. The Mets are now 5-16 at Busch Stadium over the past seven seasons.
Michael Cuddyer's solo homer off John Lackey in the sixth finally got the Mets on the scoreboard. The Mets produced 10 hits but only one run in seven innings against Lackey.
Oh Jenrry: In his second appearance since returning from an 80-game PED suspension, Jenrry Mejia allowed a leadoff single to Grichuk but rallied to toss a scoreless seventh inning.
What's next: The Mets look to avoid getting swept when Jonathon Niese (5-8, 3.61 ERA) opposes rookie left-hander Tim Cooney (0-0, 4.34) in the series finale at 2:15 p.m. ET Sunday. Niese has a 2.38 ERA over his past six starts.
