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Meet the Mets
The Mets returned home to Citi Field with the enviable task of having to play the cellar-dwelling Twins while their Wild Card opponents, the Cardinals and Giants, had to face each other. Bartolo Colon took the mound for the Mets and assured that their favorable schedule would produce rewards. Colon shut down the Twins for seven innings, and received all the offensive help he needed in the form of back to back homers from Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera.
While Colon struggled a bit early, he was lights out over his last four innings, retiring 11 of the final 12 Twins who came to bat against him. The Mets ended up winning 3-0 and now have a two game lead over the Cardinals for the final Wild Card spot. Discounting the night Terry Collins inexplicably trotted him out for the eighth inning a few weeks ago, Colon has pitched only quality starts since the end of July.
Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, NY Post, Daily News, ESPN, MLB.com, NJ.com, Bergen County Record, Newsday, New York Times.
The big news today is that the Mets have several players returning this weekend, including Juan Lagares, Lucas Duda and Jacob deGrom.
When Paul Molitor faced the Mets last night, it was the first time he’d faced the team as either a player or a manager, despite having participated in more than 3,000 games.
Wilmer Flores has an inflamed wrist and received a cortisone shot. He’s expected to be available to play soon.
Tim Tebow will work in the Instructional League on Monday.
The Twins have shown interest in Mets assistant GM John Ricco.
Curtis Granderson has set the commendable goal of raising enough money to provide one million meals to hungry families in Chicago and New York City this November.
Around the Wild Card
The Cardinals lost to the Giants, falling two games back of the Mets in the Wild Card race. The Giants remain one game ahead of the Mets in the first Wild Card spot.
Around the NL East
Trea Turner banged out four hits as the Nationals beat the Braves.
The Phillies beat the Marlins in a very long game.
Braves pitcher Jose Ramirez was suspended by MLB for throwing at Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.
Around MLB
The Kansas City Royals appear poised to miss the playoffs entirely.
Theo Epstein wore a fake beard and snuck into the Wrigley Field bleachers, which allows me to link to my favorite Mets moment.
Padres GM A.J. Preller has been suspended for 30 days without pay by MLB for submitting false medical records to the Boston Red Sox. Preller was also accused by the Marlins and White Sox of shenanigans during trades with the teams this past season. The Padres are apparently not planning to fire Preller, and it remains to be seen whether anyone will be willing to trade with them next season.
W.P. Kinsella, the novelist who wrote the book Shoeless Joe, which was made into the smash hit film Field of Dreams, has died at the age of 81.
Brewers center fielder Keon Broxton broke his wrist trying to make a catch and will miss the rest of the season.
Yesterday at AA
Steve Schreiber examined the mystery of James Loney’s legs.
Joe Sokolowski brought you another edition of “This Week in Mets Quotes.”
Aaron Yorke previewed the Mets/Twins series.
Steve Sypa delivered some obligatory Tim Tebow coverage.
This Date in Mets History
In 1967, the light-hitting Bud Harrelson collected his first career home run with the Mets. In 1973, the legendary Willie Mays collected his last career home run with the Mets.