DENVER -- Nolan Arenado welcomed his chances at the plate in clutch situations.
The star slugger hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth that gave the Colorado Rockies a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
"To be honest with you, I want those at-bats, those moments," said Arenado, who came through with his fifth career walk-off hit and second this season.
"I want to hit in them, obviously. I don't like failing in them, but I don't mind it. I feel comfortable, as comfortable as you can be in those moments. I just want to do the best I can and I want to do my best to drive those runs in."
Charlie Blackmon helped put Arenado in position to deliver the game-winner when he crashed into the center-field fence for an outstanding catch that robbed Asdrubal Cabrera of extra bases and ended the top of the ninth.
"He put a pretty good swing on that ball," Blackmon said. "I took off after it. I knew it was hit really well so I put my head down for a few steps and tried to make up some ground. I got close enough to where I thought I might be able to make a play on it, so I went for it."
Said Arenado: "That was huge for us to see Charlie make that play. It was a huge momentum shift for us. Just a great catch and it fired everyone up. Then he had a great at-bat."
In the bottom half, the Rockies took advantage of a misplay by new Mets shortstop Amed Rosario, a touted prospect making his major league debut.
Blackmon drew a leadoff walk from Hansel Robles (6-2) and DJ LeMahieu followed with an infield single off the glove of Rosario, unable to make the backhand play after initially breaking toward second base with Blackmon running on the pitch.
"It was actually pretty difficult, one of the tougher plays I've seen in this game," Rosario said through a translator.
Arenado then reached out and looped a single to center field, scoring Blackmon.
Moments after a tough loss, Rosario received words of support and encouragement from veteran teammates.
"It means a lot," he said. "That's part of the game. I'll shake it off."
Mets manager Terry Collins said Rosario caught a tough break.
"He shouldn't be upset about that play. It was a tough play," Collins said.
Mike Dunn (3-1) pitched an inning of scoreless relief for the win.
Rosario got his first big league hit in the eighth and turned in several solid defensive plays. Jay Bruce hit a solo homer off Colorado reliever Chris Rusin in the eighth to give the Mets a 4-3 lead, but the Rockies came right back in their half to tie it on Carlos Gonzalez's RBI single.
With the Rockies trailing 2-0 in the sixth, Blackmon singled and LeMahieu doubled off starter Steven Matz to begin the inning. Arenado worked the count full before connecting for his 24th home run, driving it over the right-center fence into the Mets' bullpen.
New York evened the score with an unearned run in the seventh when pinch-hitter Jose Reyes reached on a strikeout and passed ball and later scored on Cabrera's sacrifice fly.
The Rockies struggled to get their offense going early against Matz, who pitched into the sixth and allowed three runs on six hits. They went without a hit until Trevor Story beat out an infield single with one out in the fifth.
The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the first when Jeff Hoffman walked leadoff man Michael Conforto, and Yoenis Cespedes doubled to drive him home.
Bruce added an RBI double in the sixth.
Hoffman went six innings and allowed two runs on five hits.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Reyes, hit on his left arm by a pitch Sunday in Seattle, was feeling much better after resting on the Mets' off day Monday. Reyes is expected to see additional time at third base and second base following Rosario's arrival from Triple-A.
Rockies: The Colorado debut of catcher Jonathan Lucroy, acquired Sunday in a trade with the Texas Rangers, was put on hold. He was scratched from the lineup because of a stomach illness. ... LHP Jake McGee, on the 10-day disabled list because of a mid-back strain, had a clean MRI. He's slated to play catch Wednesday and is hopeful he'll be able to return when he's eligible to be reinstated late next week.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Chris Flexen (0-1, 9.00 ERA) is set to make his second career start Wednesday night after going three innings and giving up four runs while taking the loss in his big league debut last Thursday at San Diego.
Rockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (6-11, 4.78) has enjoyed success in previous outings against New York, going 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA in six career starts vs. the Mets.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
The star slugger hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth that gave the Colorado Rockies a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
"To be honest with you, I want those at-bats, those moments," said Arenado, who came through with his fifth career walk-off hit and second this season.
"I want to hit in them, obviously. I don't like failing in them, but I don't mind it. I feel comfortable, as comfortable as you can be in those moments. I just want to do the best I can and I want to do my best to drive those runs in."
Charlie Blackmon helped put Arenado in position to deliver the game-winner when he crashed into the center-field fence for an outstanding catch that robbed Asdrubal Cabrera of extra bases and ended the top of the ninth.
"He put a pretty good swing on that ball," Blackmon said. "I took off after it. I knew it was hit really well so I put my head down for a few steps and tried to make up some ground. I got close enough to where I thought I might be able to make a play on it, so I went for it."
Said Arenado: "That was huge for us to see Charlie make that play. It was a huge momentum shift for us. Just a great catch and it fired everyone up. Then he had a great at-bat."
In the bottom half, the Rockies took advantage of a misplay by new Mets shortstop Amed Rosario, a touted prospect making his major league debut.
Blackmon drew a leadoff walk from Hansel Robles (6-2) and DJ LeMahieu followed with an infield single off the glove of Rosario, unable to make the backhand play after initially breaking toward second base with Blackmon running on the pitch.
"It was actually pretty difficult, one of the tougher plays I've seen in this game," Rosario said through a translator.
Arenado then reached out and looped a single to center field, scoring Blackmon.
Moments after a tough loss, Rosario received words of support and encouragement from veteran teammates.
"It means a lot," he said. "That's part of the game. I'll shake it off."
Mets manager Terry Collins said Rosario caught a tough break.
"He shouldn't be upset about that play. It was a tough play," Collins said.
Mike Dunn (3-1) pitched an inning of scoreless relief for the win.
Rosario got his first big league hit in the eighth and turned in several solid defensive plays. Jay Bruce hit a solo homer off Colorado reliever Chris Rusin in the eighth to give the Mets a 4-3 lead, but the Rockies came right back in their half to tie it on Carlos Gonzalez's RBI single.
With the Rockies trailing 2-0 in the sixth, Blackmon singled and LeMahieu doubled off starter Steven Matz to begin the inning. Arenado worked the count full before connecting for his 24th home run, driving it over the right-center fence into the Mets' bullpen.
New York evened the score with an unearned run in the seventh when pinch-hitter Jose Reyes reached on a strikeout and passed ball and later scored on Cabrera's sacrifice fly.
The Rockies struggled to get their offense going early against Matz, who pitched into the sixth and allowed three runs on six hits. They went without a hit until Trevor Story beat out an infield single with one out in the fifth.
The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the first when Jeff Hoffman walked leadoff man Michael Conforto, and Yoenis Cespedes doubled to drive him home.
Bruce added an RBI double in the sixth.
Hoffman went six innings and allowed two runs on five hits.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: Reyes, hit on his left arm by a pitch Sunday in Seattle, was feeling much better after resting on the Mets' off day Monday. Reyes is expected to see additional time at third base and second base following Rosario's arrival from Triple-A.
Rockies: The Colorado debut of catcher Jonathan Lucroy, acquired Sunday in a trade with the Texas Rangers, was put on hold. He was scratched from the lineup because of a stomach illness. ... LHP Jake McGee, on the 10-day disabled list because of a mid-back strain, had a clean MRI. He's slated to play catch Wednesday and is hopeful he'll be able to return when he's eligible to be reinstated late next week.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Chris Flexen (0-1, 9.00 ERA) is set to make his second career start Wednesday night after going three innings and giving up four runs while taking the loss in his big league debut last Thursday at San Diego.
Rockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (6-11, 4.78) has enjoyed success in previous outings against New York, going 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA in six career starts vs. the Mets.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| New York - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Hoffman pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Conforto walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Cabrera lined out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Céspedes doubled to deep left center, Conforto scored. | 1 | 0 |
| Bruce struck out looking. | 1 | 0 |
| Walker grounded out to first. | 1 | 0 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Steven Matz pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| Blackmon walked. | 1 | 0 |
| LeMahieu grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Blackmon out at second. | 1 | 0 |
| Arenado grounded into double play, pitcher to shortstop to first, LeMahieu out at second. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Jeff Hoffman pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Flores struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| Rosario flied out to right. | 1 | 0 |
| d'Arnaud doubled to left. | 1 | 0 |
| Matz struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Steven Matz pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| Reynolds grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Parra grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Story struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Jeff Hoffman pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Conforto singled to right center. | 1 | 0 |
| Cabrera grounded into double play, first to shortstop to first, Conforto out at second. | 1 | 0 |
| Céspedes grounded out to catcher. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Steven Matz pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| González popped out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Hanigan walked. | 1 | 0 |
| Hoffman sacrificed to pitcher, Hanigan to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Blackmon grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Jeff Hoffman pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Bruce grounded out to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Walker struck out looking. | 1 | 0 |
| Flores walked. | 1 | 0 |
| Rosario grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Flores out at second. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Steven Matz pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| LeMahieu grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Arenado grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| Reynolds struck out swinging. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Jeff Hoffman pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| d'Arnaud grounded out to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Matz grounded out to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Conforto walked. | 1 | 0 |
| Cabrera grounded out to first. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Steven Matz pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| Parra grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 0 |
| Story reached on infield single to shortstop. | 1 | 0 |
| González lined out to left. | 1 | 0 |
| Hanigan singled to left center, Story to third. | 1 | 0 |
| Hoffman grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Jeff Hoffman pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Céspedes singled to left. | 1 | 0 |
| Bruce doubled to right, Céspedes scored. | 2 | 0 |
| Walker flied out to left. | 2 | 0 |
| Flores grounded out to pitcher. | 2 | 0 |
| Rosario struck out looking. | 2 | 0 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Steven Matz pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| Blackmon singled to right. | 2 | 0 |
| LeMahieu doubled to left, Blackmon to third. | 2 | 0 |
| Arenado homered to right center (412 feet), Blackmon and LeMahieu scored. | 2 | 3 |
| Reynolds doubled to left. | 2 | 3 |
| Smoker relieved Matz. | 2 | 3 |
| Parra flied out to right. | 2 | 3 |
| Story intentionally walked. | 2 | 3 |
| González struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| Goeddel relieved Smoker. | 2 | 3 |
| Hanigan struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Pat Neshek pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Neshek relieved Hoffman. | 2 | 3 |
| d'Arnaud struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| Reyes hit for Goeddel. | 2 | 3 |
| Reyes struck out swinging, Reyes safe at first on passed ball by Hanigan. | 2 | 3 |
| Conforto singled to center, Reyes to third. | 2 | 3 |
| Cabrera hit sacrifice fly to center, Reyes scored. | 3 | 3 |
| Céspedes grounded out to third. | 3 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Paul Sewald pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| Sewald relieved Goeddel. | 3 | 3 |
| Tapia hit for Neshek. | 3 | 3 |
| Tapia struck out swinging. | 3 | 3 |
| Blackmon singled to center. | 3 | 3 |
| LeMahieu flied out to right. | 3 | 3 |
| Arenado flied out to right. | 3 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Chris Rusin pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Rusin relieved Neshek. | 3 | 3 |
| Bruce homered to right (400 feet). | 4 | 3 |
| Walker struck out looking. | 4 | 3 |
| Oberg relieved Rusin. | 4 | 3 |
| Flores grounded out to third. | 4 | 3 |
| d'Arnaud grounded out to first. | 4 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Paul Sewald pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| Reynolds singled to left center. | 4 | 3 |
| Blevins relieved Sewald. | 4 | 3 |
| Parra singled to left, Reynolds to second. | 4 | 3 |
| Story grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Parra out at second, Reynolds to third. | 4 | 3 |
| González reached on infield single to third, Reynolds scored, Story to second. | 4 | 4 |
| Bruce at first base. | 4 | 4 |
| Granderson in right field. | 4 | 4 |
| Robles relieved Blevins. | 4 | 4 |
| Hanigan flied out to right. | 4 | 4 |
| Valaika hit for Oberg. | 4 | 4 |
| Valaika struck out swinging. | 4 | 4 |
| 1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Mike Dunn pitching for Colorado | NYM | COL |
| Dunn relieved Oberg. | 4 | 4 |
| Granderson struck out swinging. | 4 | 4 |
| Conforto lined out to center. | 4 | 4 |
| Cabrera flied out to center. | 4 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Colorado - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Hansel Robles pitching for New York | NYM | COL |
| Blackmon walked. | 4 | 4 |
| LeMahieu reached on infield single to shortstop, Blackmon to second. | 4 | 4 |
| Arenado singled to center, Blackmon scored, LeMahieu to second. | 4 | 5 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York Mets | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Conforto CF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | .293 | .401 | .576 |
| Cabrera 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | .257 | .334 | .399 |
| Céspedes LF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | .284 | .332 | .500 |
| Bruce RF-1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .265 | .328 | .534 |
| Walker 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | .262 | .342 | .447 |
| Flores 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | .284 | .319 | .480 |
Robles P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Rosario SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | .250 | .250 | .250 |
| d'Arnaud C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .239 | .294 | .427 |
| Matz P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .176 | .176 | .176 |
Smoker P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Goeddel P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
a-Reyes PH
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .226 | .288 | .386 |
Sewald P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Blevins P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Granderson RF
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .224 | .329 | .444 |
| Totals | 34 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 154 | |||
| a-struck out for E Goeddel in the 7th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 2B: Céspedes (13, Hoffman); d'Arnaud (11, Hoffman); Bruce (20, Hoffman) HR: Bruce (28, 8th inning off Rusin 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: Céspedes (28), Bruce 2 (74), Cabrera (31) SF: Cabrera GIDP: Cabrera Mets RISP: 0-7 (Flores 0-1, Matz 0-1, d'Arnaud 0-1, Rosario 0-1, Bruce 0-1, Walker 0-2) Team LOB: 7 | ||||||||||
| FIELDING DP: 1 (Matz-Rosario-Flores). | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Coors Field, Denver, CO |
| Attendance | 36,698 (72.8% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:24 |
| Weather | 85 degrees, partly cloudy |
| Wind | 8 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Brian Knight, First Base - Kerwin Danley, Second Base - Jim Reynolds, Third Base - Lance Barrett |
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