Mets Defeat Rockies, Duda Drives In 4 RBI

DENVER (AP) — Dillon Gee shook off one tough inning in an otherwise strong outing, Lucas Duda homered and singled to drive in four runs, and the New York Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 7-5 on Saturday night.

Ruben Tejada, Daniel Murphy and David Wright each added three hits and scored five times collectively, helping the Mets bounce back from Friday night's sloppy 18-9 loss to Colorado.

Gee (2-2), who turned 26 on Saturday, allowed four runs in seven innings. He struck out seven and walked two, keeping the Rockies in check for most of the night except for a rough patch in the fourth when Colorado scored three of its runs.

Frank Francisco gave up a two-out solo homer to Dexter Fowler and a triple to pinch-hitter Tyler Colvin before retiring pinch-hitter Jason Giambi on a sinking liner to center that Kirk Nieuwenhuis caught on a dead run for his fifth save in as many chances.

Guillermo Moscoso (0-1), recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs earlier in the day, took the loss in his Rockies debut, giving up six runs on nine hits in five innings. He got the start in place of Jeremy Guthrie, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list after spraining his right shoulder in a fall from his bicycle on Friday.

Moscoso was acquired in January as part of the trade that sent outfielder Seth Smith to the Oakland Athletics.

Trailing 4-3 going into the fifth, the Mets collected four consecutive two-out hits, including Wright's RBI single and Duda's tie-breaking two-run single to go up 6-4. The Mets added a run in the ninth when pinch-hitter Mike Baxter doubled, went to third on a groundout and scored on reliever Edgmer Escalon's wild pitch.

Duda hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot, off Moscoso in the second and Wright's run-scoring double in the third gave New York a 3-1 lead. But the Rockies regained the lead with a three-run fourth. Carlos Gonzales led off the inning with a bunt single, Troy Tulowittzki singled and Todd Helton followed with an RBI double. Michael Cuddyer had an RBI single and came home two outs later on a single by Moscoso, who delivered his first major league hit and run batten in.

The Mets got off to a shaky start when catcher Josh Thole's throwing error in the first inning opened the door to the Rockies' first run. New York committed six errors — one shy of the team high — in Friday night's 18-9 loss to Colorado.

Marco Scutaro singled to start the inning and then stole second base, advancing to third when Thole's throw sailed into center field. Scutaro scored an unearned run on Tulowitzki's fielder's choice.

NOTES: Rockies' LHP Jamie Moyer (1-2), who became the oldest pitcher to earn a win in major league history two weeks ago, will be on the mound for Sunday's finale. The Mets counter with Johan Santana (0-2), who has pitched well but will be looking for his first win of the season. ... Helton hit his 560th career double in the fourth, tying him with Eddie Murray and Jeff Kent for 22nd all-time. ... Mets center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who attended Denver Christian High School, had his father and other members of his family on hand in seats behind the visitor's dugout.