NEW YORK – Rafael Montero earned his first major league win, Eric Young Jr. went 3-for-3 with an RBI triple, and the suddenly surging New York Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 2-0 on Wednesday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
Montero (1-3) returned from the minors and allowed three hits over 5 1/3 innings in his seventh big league start. Juan Lagares had a sacrifice fly for the Mets, who have won seven of eight.
New York finished a three-game sweep of last-place Colorado, winning the final two by identical scores behind Jacob deGrom and fellow rookie Montero.
Montero did not give up a hit until a fifth-inning double by Rockies’ starting pitcher Tyler Matzek. The right-hander struck out seven and walked two, throwing 106 pitches in his first major league start since Aug. 17.
Mets rookie Dilson Herrera worked a two-out walk against Matzek (5-10) in the second. Young followed with a drive to right-center that just glanced off the glove of center fielder Drew Stubbs, scoring Herrera.
The triple was Young’s fourth of the season and his first extra-base hit – and RBI – since Aug. 24.
The Rockies threatened in the sixth after a leadoff double by Stubbs and a single by Justin Morneau put runners at second and third. Montero struck out Nolan Arenado on a high fastball, the last batter he faced.
Dario Alvarez retired Chris Dickerson on a dribbler in front of the plate, and Carlos Torres induced a popup to shortstop from Michael McKenry.
Torres gave up a hit in the seventh, Jeurys Familia worked the eighth, and Jenrry Mejia rebounded from a shaky outing Tuesday to finish the four-hitter.
Mejia’s perfect ninth gave him his 25th save in 28 opportunities.
New York added a run in the seventh after Herrera drew his second walk from Matzek and went to second on Young’s single. Pinch-hitter Josh Satin walked, and Herrera scored on Lagares’ fly to left.
Matzek gave up two runs on four hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings.
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Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer was rested by manager Walt Weiss after playing in back-to-back games following his activation from the disabled list. Cuddyer was placed on the 15-day DL with a left hamstring strain Aug. 24.
Mets outfielder Matt den Dekker (left hand) was held out of the lineup after being hit by a pitch Tuesday. Manager Terry Collins said den Dekker still was sore.
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After a day off Thursday, Colorado will begin a three-game series Friday at first-place St. Louis. Left-handed starter Jorge De La Rosa (13-10, 4.27 earned-run average) will face Cardinals’ ace Adam Wainwright (17-9, 2.62 ERA). De La Rosa is 6-3 with a 4.71 ERA in 15 appearances (nine starts) against the Cardinals.
Mets righty Bartolo Colon (13-11, 3.96) will start Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series against NL East-leading Washington. Nationals righty Tanner Roark (12-10, 2.97) will go for Washington. He is 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA against New York in four career appearances (three starts).
