DENVER -- Logan Verrett ran out of magic.
The spot-starter extraordinaire surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and two walks in 2⅔ innings, and the Colorado Rockies beat the New York Mets 7-4 Saturday at Coors Field.
The Mets are 4-6 entering the final day of their three-city trip to San Diego, Los Angeles and Denver. Not only did the Mets drop 1½ games behind the division-leading Washington Nationals, they also fell into third place behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
Verrett (3-1) was subbing for Steven Matz, who was skipped after experiencing left forearm soreness earlier in the week. Matz is due to be examined Monday in New York but may return to the rotation as soon as the midweek showdown against the Nationals at Citi Field.
Verrett had produced consecutive scoreless six-inning starts in April while filling in for Jacob deGrom. While filling in for Matt Harvey last August, Verrett limited the Rockies to one run in eight innings at Coors Field.
This time, Verrett was knocked out in a five-run third inning that included the first ejection of the season for manager Terry Collins.
Collins objected to plate umpire Carlos Torres' call that Tony Wolters had tipped what would have been a third strike. After Collins' ejection, Wolters delivered a two-run double and Charlie Blackmon had a two-run single as the Rockies took a 7-1 lead.
The Mets clawed to within three runs in the sixth and had the tying run at the plate, but Curtis Granderson grounded out against ex-Met Gonzalez Germen to end the rally.
Relievers Hansel Robles, Sean Gilmartin, Jim Henderson, Addison Reed and Antonio Bastardo combined for 5 1/3 scoreless relief innings to allow the Mets an opportunity to claw back.
What's next: Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.12 ERA) opposes right-hander Tyler Chatwood (4-3, 3.09) in the 4:10 p.m. ET series finale on Sunday as the Mets look to avoid getting swept.
