Mets Morning News: Giants, Cards gain ground, with controversy

Meet the Mets

Former Mets manager Bobby Valentine heaped praise on Terry Collins for getting two very different teams (hopefully) to the playoffs in consecutive years.

The Post’s Mike Vaccaro agreed with that assessment.

Bartolo Colon discussed the subtleties of his oft-employed two-seam fastball, which he learned from Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux.

A day after hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw in the instructional league, Tim Tebow went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

Curtis Granderson was nominated for the Clemente Award, which goes to the player who "best represents baseball through character, community involvement and philanthropy."

At FanGraphs, August Fagerstrom sees shades of Daniel Murphy in the scorching-hot Asdrubal Cabrera.

Around the NL East

Speaking of hot streaks, the Braves beat the Phillies for their 10th win in 11 games. Check out recaps from Talking Chop and The Good Phight.

Fish Stripes illuminated the friendship between Jose Fernandez and Chris Johnson, who very much did not like the ace at first.

Around the Majors

The Cardinals picked up a half game on the Mets in controversial fashion, walking off on a play that should have been ruled dead due to a ground rule double. The umpires left the field as Reds manager Bryan Price chased them down the tunnel, only to be told he didn’t elect to challenge in time. Cincinnati has until noon on Friday to protest.

The Giants also gained ground after defeating the Rockies 7-2. The Mets sit a game ahead of San Francisco for the first Wild Card spot, with the Cardinals a game behind them.

The Red Sox mowed a mural of David Ortiz into the outfield grass at Fenway Park.

Yesterday at AA

After a 47-pitch outing, Bartolo Colon might start the Wild Card game on short rest on Friday, should the team make it that far.

Here’s how Tim Tebow’s career will go, according to MLB: The Show.

This Date in Mets History

In a must-win season finale in 2007, Tom Glavine imploded, surrendering seven earned runs and recording just one out as the Mets missed the playoffs despite holding a 6.5-game division lead with 12 games remaining.