Bob Haynie: Colon Handles Orioles... Again
That was some strong Colon on Tuesday night at Citi Field. By Colon, I am referring to the rotund veteran right-hander for the New York Mets named Bartolo.
Bartolo Colon kept the Baltimore offense in check for 7.2 innings to help the Mets edge the Orioles 3-2 in the first game of a two-game interleague set. Colon, who made his Major League debut in 1997, has now beat the Orioles with seven different teams. In addition to the Mets, he has also defeated the Birds as a member of the Indians, White Sox, Angels, Red Sox, Yankees and A's.
Yes, that is a record.
Colon is now 13-8 lifetime against the Orioles. With Tuesday night's win, he improved his 2015 record to 5-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.90. Of the 97 pitches Colon threw, 71 were strikes. He issued no walks and struck out nine. As a matter of fact, he has only walked one batter all season.
To say he has impeccable control would be an understatement.
Colon's performance overshadowed a quality start by Baltimore righty Bud Norris.
The Mets got to Norris for three runs in the fourth to take the lead. After that, Norris shut them down. He retired the last 11 hitters he faced in going seven full innings.
Manny Machado and Chris Davis hit solo shots for the Birds to make it a one-run game. But New York closer Jeurys Familia was able to close it out in the ninth inning and pick up his 11th save.
On Wednesday night, the Orioles will have Ubaldo Jimenez (2-1, 1.59) on the hill against Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom (2-3, 3.34). Let's see if Jimenez can continue his renaissance season and the Baltimore bats can blast their way out of Citi Field before starting a four-game series at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.
Follow @1057TheFan
