Hale struggles as Mets sweep Rockies, 5-1

Travis d’Arnaud and Michael Conforto also had home runs in the seventh inning in the Mets’ first five-homer game since September 5, 2014, against Cincinnati.

“He was tremendous today at hitting his spots and working out of trouble”, said Gonzalez, who has now hit 30 homers in a season for the second time in his career.

In the surest sign yet this might be the Mets’ year, their gamble Sunday on Logan Verrett worked, leaving nobody to wonder if manager Terry Collins was Rocky Mountain high when he chose the rookie to make his first major league start in the heat of a pennant race.

The centre fielder hit a grand slam in the second inning and a solo shot in the fourth. But unlike Friday, the Mets didn’t have to squirm as their six-run lead vanished before pulling away to win by the same score. Catcher Nick Hundley was lifted in the bottom of the sixth inning after a foul tip came straight back and hit him in the head.

“I’ve been feeling great all this time”, Cespedes said afterward. “This is Colorado. When I hit the ball, I think, maybe a double”. Last night, driving home from the Nationals game and listening to the Oakland A’s broadcast, their announcers commented on how important Cespedes has been to recent playoff runs for the A’s and now with what the Mets are trying to do. Every New York starter had at least one hit, with pitcher Jonathon Niese (8-9) delivering a two-run single in the big third.

“I wasn’t too precise with the pitch and he took advantage of it”, Gray said. It was just bad.

Mike Fiers tossed the fifth no-hitter in the majors this season in just his third start for Houston, leading the Astros to a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

Cespedes, third baseman Juan Uribe and infielder Kelly Johnson were acquired at or near the July 31 trade deadline, and their additions have greatly improved what had been a lackluster offense.

Blue Jays (68-55) at Angels (63-60) 3:35 p.m.: The Blue Jays remain just a half game behind the Yankees for the AL East. They’ll send R.A. Dickey (7-10, 4.14 ERA) to the mound to face Garrett Richards (12-9, 3.50 ERA) on Sunday as Toronto looks for the sweep. Rusin faced eight batters in the third without recording an out before being lifted in favor of reliever Justin Miller. “Once you’re in that moment you don’t feel anything really”.

Collins did not hold back Saturday, bringing in Tyler Clippard in the eighth and closer Jeurys Familia for the second straight night with a five-run lead. He tied a career high with nine strikeouts, but he also tied a Rockies’ record for an individual pitcher by throwing four wild pitches.

Bart battles: A golf ball-sized welt formed near the base of Colon’s right hand after Gray hit him with a pitch on a second-inning bunt attempt.

– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 22, 2015Is Yoenis Céspedes the new king of New York?