PHILADELPHIA -- Veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon has been the weak link in the New York Mets rotation during the second half. He entered Wednesday’s start against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 1-4 record and 6.08 ERA since the All-Star break.
But after Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard combined to toss only 7 2/3 innings in the opening two games of the series, Colon offered a desperately needed positive performance to save more overtaxing of the bullpen.
Colon tossed seven scoreless innings and the Mets held on to beat the Phillies, 9-4.
Three of the five hits Colon surrendered came in the first inning. After that frame, Colon -- who generally relies on spotting his fastball -- diversified his repertoire. He started heavily using his breaking ball and changeup.
Colon (11-11), who nonetheless appears unlikely to contribute to the postseason rotation, won for only the second time since June 12.
“In my whole career, this is the most I’ve thrown a breaking ball,” Colon said through an interpreter.
