In a season that’s been so discouraging, the improbable has happened.
Behind a splendid performance by starter German Marquez, the Rockies beat the Mets, and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.
Marquez not only outdueled Scherzer, but Colorado also spoiled the Mets’ plans for a four-game sweep by earning one of its most satisfying victories of the season.
“Max is one of the best,” Marquez told AT&T SportsNet. “I like to face guys like that. My focus is (there) and I like to pitch a game like that.”
Marquez, who’s been erratic this season, performed like the All-Star he was last summer. He pitched seven scoreless innings, yielding just one hit, walking two and striking out five.
It was a 180-degree turn from his last start when he allowed six runs on eight hits, including two home runs, over six innings against Texas at Coors Field. After that game, an emotional Marquez said he was “frickin’ frustrated.”
Jeff McNeil busted Marquez’s no-hit string with a leadoff single in the fifth. McNeil advanced to second on a balk by Marquez, the only time the Mets had a man in scoring position vs. the right-hander.
Manager Bud Black was thrilled with what he thought was Marquez’s best performance of the season.
“This was a marquee match-up for me, Max Scherzer vs. German Marquez,” Black told reporters in New York. “German has had his ups and downs this year but I had a feeling he was going to rise to the occasion in New York, against one of the premier pitchers in the game. And he did.
“I’m very proud of him. I thought he made pitches when he had to and I thought he used his fastball well and his curve. He was, obviously, very effective.”
The Rockies finally busted through against Scherzer in the seventh to take the lead on a sacrifice fly by catcher Brian Serven.
C.J. Cron led off with a solid single to left and Jose Iglesias’ perfect bunt single toward third pushed Cron to second, giving the Rockies a runner in scoring position for the first time in the game. Randal Grichuk’s fortunate, swinging bunt single loaded the bases with no outs.
Scherzer struck out Sam Hilliard, but Serven whacked a first-pitch fastball to deep right to score Cron. Scherzer, who threw a season-high 112 pitches, struck out Garrett Hampson to halt Colorado’s rally. Scherzer, who’s hunting for his 200th career victory, struck out 11, gave up four hits and walked one.
“Today was important after losing the first three,” Serven told AT&T SportsNet. “You never want to go somewhere and get swept in four games.”
Serven struck out in his first two at-bats vs. Scherzer, but he was ready with the game on the line.
“He was throwing a lot of fastballs away to righties to get to 0-1 because it has that fade-back a little bit,” Serven said. “I told myself I’m going to look out there for that pitch. Luckily I got one that I could put in play.”
Colorado’s bullpen did its job. Carlos Estevez, who’s emerging as a solid set-up man, gave up a one-out hit to Brett Baty in the eighth, and Baty advanced to second on a wild pitch. But Estevez struck out pinch hitter Starling Marte and Brandon Nimmo to end the threat.
Closer Daniel Bard gave up a one-out single to Pete Alonso but cooly struck out Eduardo Escobar and got Jeff McNeil to ground out to second to slam the door and notch his 27th save in 30 opportunities.
The Rockies have an off day Monday before opening a three-game series at Atlanta on Tuesday. The Rockies are in the midst of a 10-game, 11-day road trip.
Gilbreath to IL. Lefty reliever Lucas Gilbreath was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left elbow flexor strain. According to MLB.com, he’s scheduled to have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.
In a corresponding move, the club activated right-hander Alex Colome from the IL. Colome had been on the IL since Aug. 11 with right lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Colome, who had a 4.68 ERA in 46 appearances, was struggling before going on the IL.
Gilbreath told MLB.com that he felt discomfort in his elbow when throwing his slider during Friday night’s game against the Mets. Gilbreath has a 4.19 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 47 games this season.
On Deck
The Rockies are off on Monday.
Trending: Outfielder Randal Grichuk is hitting .338 (41-for-121) in 34 games since the All-Star break. His 18 RBIs since the break leads the Rockies.
At issue: The Rockies (55-74) are on pace to finish the season 69-93, but of their final 33 games, 20 are on the road.
Pitching probables:
Monday: Off Day
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Jose Urena (2-5, 5.98 ERA) at Braves LHP Max Fried (12-4, 2.52), 5:20 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (2-5, 5.87) at Braves RHP Kyle Wright (16-5, 2.99), 5:20 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Rockies RHP Chad Kuhl (6-7, 5.17) at Braves RHP Spencer Strider (8-4, 2.87), 5:20 p.m., ATTRM
