BALTIMORE --
FIRST PITCH: The National League East race got a little tighter Wednesday.
With the Washington Nationals' 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, the New York Mets' lead atop the division was trimmed to 3 1/2 games.
The Mets traveled to Denver after their loss Wednesday at Camden Yards and will spend an off day Thursday out west -- although probably not attending the Nats-Rockies series finale.
When the Mets resume play Friday, Bartolo Colon (10-11, 4.58 ERA) will oppose Rockies right-hander Jon Gray (0-0, 2.40) at 8:40 p.m. ET.
THURSDAY'S NEWS REPORTS:
Carlos Torres surrendered a walk-off homer to Henry Urrutia in the bottom of the ninth as the Mets lost Wednesday, 5-4, to the Baltimore Orioles. Hansel Robles surrendered a game-tying homer in the seventh as the Mets' bullpen continued its recent struggles. Noah Syndergaard tried a different pregame routine but still remained winless in his career on the road. Wilmer Flores and Daniel Murphy each had a solo homer and two RBIs in the loss. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
The Mets appear inclined to skip Matt Harvey on Sunday in Colorado to conserve his innings. Logan Verrett would start in Harvey's place. Verrett was limited to a six-pitch relief inning Wednesday to keep him available for duty as a starter in place of Harvey. That arguably hurt the Mets, since Robles surrendered the game-tying homer the frame after Verrett departed. Read more in the Post and at MLB.com.
David Wright went 2-for-5 and played a full game at third base Tuesday for Class A St. Lucie. Manager Terry Collins indicated that once Wright returns from the disabled list for next week's series at Philadelphia, the captain is unlikely to be an everyday player. Read more in Newsday and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Steven Matz is due to make his second rehab start Thursday with St. Lucie. Matz is due to join the Mets after rosters expand Sept. 1. He will join the rotation, which will swell to six members.
Yoenis Cespedes was used as the designated hitter rather than in the outfield Wednesday because of a sore throwing shoulder.
Mets owners have refinanced $700 million worth of debt tied to the team and SNY, Josh Kosman reports in the Post.
Longtime Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he will reunite with middle-infield partner Jimmy Rollins. Utley was dealt to L.A. on Wednesday for two prospects.
Outfielder Cesar Puello was released by the Mets.
Columnist David Lennon in Newsday discusses how limiting Verrett to one inning on Wednesday with an eye toward Sunday's start arguably cost the Mets a game.
Lennon in Newsday also looks at Murphy's contribution to the club.
T.J. Rivera had a three-run double in the opener and Binghamton split a doubleheader with Richmond. Erik Goeddel allowed a double in a scoreless relief inning as his rehab assignment continued with the B-Mets. Stefan Sabol had a walk-off homer as St. Lucie beat Brandeton, 6-5. Vinny Siena had a two-run triple and Tyler Badamo allowed one run on two hits in six innings as Brooklyn beat Lowell, 3-1. Read the full minor league recap here.
From the bloggers ... Faith and Fear heard echoes of 1814 and 1969 upon the Mets' 2015 visit to Baltimore. ... Mets Report suggests the club ought to have devised a better plan to conserve innings before the season.
BIRTHDAYS: Cory Sullivan turns 36. ... Lance Broadway is 32. ... Cliff Cook was born on this date in 1936. ... St. Lucie reliever Robby Coles is 24.
TWEET OF THE DAY:
#ThankYouChase pic.twitter.com/v4wY1u1i6x
— Phillies (@Phillies) August 20, 2015YOU'RE UP: Has your confidence level dipped that the Mets will hold off the Nationals?
