Another strong start from Colon /
Durable Colon comes up big again
Matt Harvey is a distant memory. Zack Wheeler feels like he has never even played here. Steven Matz may be done for the season. Jacob deGrom’s most recent start was skipped to protect his arm. Noah Syndergaard continues pitching with a bone spur in his elbow.
For stability, manager Terry Collins looks to the oldest player in baseball. When the Mets need to know what they will get on the mound, Bartolo Colon is usually standing there.
The 43-year-old righthander gave the Mets another solid outing Wednesday night, pitching seven innings while allowing one earned run in a 5-2 win over the Marlins at Citi Field.
Colon, who has pitched at least seven innings in three of his past five starts, earned a no-decision after allowing two runs (one earned) and seven hits, while recording three strikeouts and no walks on 101 pitches (72 strikes). The Mets have won each of his past three starts.
Colon is 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in his past six starts, and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 15 of his past 19 games.
Wednesday marked his 10th game this season without recording a walk.
“That’s what he does,” manager Terry Collins said. “He just goes out and does his job. As we’ve said so many times here in the past two weeks with all of our pitching issues, he’s the one constant. He takes it every five days, the guy’s 43 years old, I brought him back on short rest, he never says a word, just took the ball and did his job.”
At this point in the season, with Wheeler expected back from Tommy John surgery, Colon previously believed he no longer would be in the rotation. But his consistency (12-7, 3.35 ERA) and unquestioned ability to throw every five games or less has made him one of the team’s most important pieces in its playoff run.
“I’m very happy, also just pleased to be doing good work,” he said. “I did expect to be in the bullpen at this point, so I’m very thankful for the opportunity to still be starting.
“I’m very glad to be able to help out, not just with the starters, but of course be able to help the bullpen and go several innings so that they can get a break as well.”