Mets Avoid Sweep With 11-3 Win Over Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lucas Duda homered twice, drove in a career-high five runs and was involved in the New York Mets' first triple play in over four seasons, allowing a grieving Bartolo Colon to breeze to an 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
Colon (12-10) gave up two runs and five hits over six innings and struck out five in his first start since his mother Adriana passed away on Monday from breast cancer. After the game, the 41-year-old right-hander returned to the Dominican Republic to attend her funeral.
Despite the loss, the Dodgers maintained their 4½-game lead on San Francisco in the NL West following the Giants' 14-6 defeat at Washington.
Kevin Correia (2-1) lasted only three innings on his 34th birthday, giving up seven runs — five earned — and seven hits.
Duda, Reuben Tejada and Travis d'Arnaud all homered against the right-hander, who was making his third start since the Dodgers acquired him from Minnesota. Duda's added his 26th homer of the season in the ninth against Jamey Wright.
This was the 10th time in Correia's 12-year career that he has allowed three or more homers.
Slumping Mets third baseman David Wright, who came in 9 for 12 against Correia, left the game following the Mets' big rally because of a muscle spasm on the right side of his neck.
Colon's 92nd and final pitch resulted in the Mets' first triple play since May 19, 2010, at Washington.
Moments after Adrian Gonzalez's RBI single in the sixth trimmed the Dodgers' deficit to 7-2, Matt Kemp hit a sharp grounder in the hole to third baseman Eric Campbell, who threw to second for the force before Daniel Murphy relayed to first. Yasiel Puig tried to score from second, but d'Arnaud took the throw from Duda and tagged him out.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Closer Jenrry Mejia, who pitched a perfect inning Saturday after experiencing back problems during the series in Oakland, will be watched closely by the training staff the rest of the way. "You can just see the difference in his stuff when he's rested," manager Terry Collins said.
Dodgers: SS Hanley Ramirez was reinstated from the disabled list and was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts after missing 14 games because of an oblique strain on his right side. ... INF Erisbel Arruebarrena was optioned to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga to clear a roster spot.
UP NEXT
Mets: Dillon Gee (4-6, 3.84 ERA) takes the ball Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series against Atlanta, trying to end the longest losing streak of his career. He is 0-5 with a 5.71 ERA in seven starts since beating the Braves 4-1 on July 9.
Dodgers: Roberto Hernandez (7-9, 3.78 ERA) pitches the opener of a two-game set at Arizona Tuesday night, his fourth start since the Dodgers obtained him from Philadelphia. He made two other starts against the Diamondbacks this season with the Phillies.
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