DENVER -- Who would have believed this? The New York Mets have dropped to third place in the National League East, behind the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies.
As their trip wraps up Sunday, the Mets are a combined 4-6 during stops in San Diego, Los Angeles and Colorado.
Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.12 ERA) opposes Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood (4-3, 3.09) on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. ET as the Mets try to avoid getting swept at Coors Field.
Before losing the opening two games in Denver, the Mets actually had been unbeaten in eight straight series -- six consecutive wins, followed by four-game splits at Petco Park and Dodger Stadium.
SUNDAY'S NEWS REPORTS:
Logan Verrett allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings in a rare spot-start flop, but it was a third-inning call that angered the Mets after Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Rockies. Plate umpire Carlos Torres incorrectly ruled No. 8 hitter Tony Wolters had fouled off a would-be third strike. With new life, Wolters had a two-run double in what became a five-run inning. Said Terry Collins, who was ejected for arguing: “It cost us the game.” After the Mets rallied to within three runs, Curtis Granderson grounded out with the tying runs on base in the sixth. Granderson finished 0-for-5 as his average dropped to .200 and his on-base percentage fell to .287. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
David Wright had a 20-minute early afternoon session with hitting coach Kevin Long, trying to find a way to cut down on his strikeout total. Wright proceeded to go 2-for-5 with a double and two Ks in Saturday's loss. Read more at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Columnist Kevin Kernan in the Post concludes: “This is no way to get ready for the Nationals. This is not pretty.”
Laura Albanese in Newsday catches up with Daniel Murphy in D.C. as he prepares for Tuesday's return to Citi Field with the Nats. “He was the largest acquisition we made this year,” Washington manager Dusty Baker tells Albanese. “We didn't know exactly how good he was.”
Rafael Montero tossed six scoreless innings, but Jeff Walters surrendered an eighth-inning homer and Las Vegas lost at Oklahoma City, 1-0. Binghamton snapped an eight-game losing streak in the nightcap of a doubleheader against Portland. Michael Katz had a walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning to lead St. Lucie to a 3-2 win against Fort Myers. Vinny Siena grounded out with the tying run on second base in the ninth and Columbia's rally fell short in a 3-2 loss to Asheville. Read the full minor-league recap here.
From the bloggers … Faith and Fear is having one of its superstitious moments. … Mets Report likes Matt Harvey's display of humanity.
BIRTHDAYS: Tyler Walker turns 40.
TWEET OF THE DAY:
Oh yes that happened. @Mets pic.twitter.com/dxtdvfhrHt
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) May 15, 2016
YOU'RE UP: Is Granderson a bigger concern than Wright?
