Carlos Beltran missed almost 100 games last year after surgery on his right knee, and when he did play, he played like you'd expect a talented 33-year-old with one good knee to play. So when he started this season hot, the New York Mets must have been happy to see someone resembling the old Beltran.
Mets Vs. Rockies: Carlos Beltran’s Three Home Runs Powers Mets To Victory
If they were happy with Beltran before their trip to Colorado, they must be ecstatic about what happened on Thursday. Beltran hit three home runs -- all two-run shots -- as the Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies, 9-5.
A lengthy two-hour rain delay kept the game from starting on time, and when it did begin, Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez was less than sharp. He walked Willie Harris in the first inning, one of six walks he would allow, right before Beltran hit his first home run, a left-handed drive to center field to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.
A solo home run from Jonathan Herrera cut the lead to 2-1, but Ubaldo's control went astray in the fourth. After a Jason Bay single and two walks, Josh Thole hit a sacrifice fly. One more walk later, Jose Reyes delivered a two-run single to right to chase Jimenez, who finished the day giving up five earned runs in 3-2/3 innings, his shortest outing since last July 24.
Beltran delivered again in the seventh, from the right side of the plate this time, taking one over the left-field fence to give the Mets a 7-2 lead.
Things weren't quite over, though, as the Rockies strung together three singles in the seventh inning against Mets starter Jon Niese, who ended the game allowing five earned runs. Michael O'Connor entered in relief, and he promptly gave up a two-run double to Seth Smith, cutting the lead to 7-5. With two on and two out, though, Taylor Buchholz got Troy Tulowitzki to line out to Jason Bay to end the threat.
Beltran put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth, golfing his third home run of the day -- this one left-handed -- to give the Mets the 9-5 lead with which they’d end the game.
The Mets travel to Houston this weekend, with the Rockies hosting the Padres.
For more on the Mets and Rockies, please visit Amazin’ Avenue and Purple Row.
See More:
