DENVER – David Hale tweaked his mechanics after his last start. His delivery is still a work in progress, judging by a shaky outing Sunday for the Colorado Rockies.
Hale tied a career high with nine strikeouts to go along with a team-record four wild pitches in a 5-1 loss to the New York Mets.
Carlos Gonzalez homered for Colorado’s only run. The Rockies have lost 11 in a row to the Mets, dating to 2014, and they have dropped 11-of-13 overall.
“I felt our energy was pretty low,” Rockies’ manager Walt Weiss said. “I think it’s the result of 10 days at home and playing in some really long games and being on the losing end of those long games. The guys haven’t checked out whatsoever. They are still battling.”
Right-hander Logan Verrett stepped into Matt Harvey’s spot and earned his first major league win in his first start, pitching eight impressive innings for the Mets.
After the NL East-leading Mets posted a pair of 14-9 wins at Coors Field, Verrett (1-0) allowed just one run and four hits while striking out eight.
“He did a tremendous job of hitting spots and working his way out of trouble,” Gonzalez said. “He works quick. He outquicked us. He got us out of rhythm.”
Verrett got the spot start when the Mets decided to push back Harvey’s outing, and he threw a gem worthy of New York’s strong rotation.
Verrett made his major league debut with Texas this season and pitched four times in relief before the Mets got him on waivers. The 25-year-old righty had pitched well in seven relief appearances for the Mets.
Michael Conforto had three hits for the Mets, who maintained their five-game division lead over Washington.
The Mets outscored the Rockies 33-19 in the series.
Hale (3-5) threw a pair of wild pitches while Anthony Recker was batting in the second inning, both allowing a run.
Hale allowed six hits and walked two in six innings.
“I made some mechanical adjustments this week,” Hale said. “I really like them. I just need to groove them now.”
The Rockies’ first two hitters of the game reached on singles. But a double play and a groundout kept them off the scoreboard, and Verrett settled in to retire eight of the next nine batters.
Gonzalez hit his 30th home run leading off the Colorado fourth. It is the second time Gonzalez has reached the 30-homer plateau.
He hit 34 in 2010 when he finished third in the NL MVP voting.
“My first at-bat I was trying to see what he had. He threw me a changeup that I missed and another I hit OK,” Gonzalez said. “On my second at-bat he threw me a changeup and I hit over the wall.”
Daniel Murphy had two hits for the Mets.
Rockies rumpus
Rockies catcher Nick Hundley was out of the lineup after leaving Saturday’s game in the sixth after a foul tip came straight back and hit him in the head. Walt Weiss said he checked out OK but he wanted to give him a day off. ... Starter Chad Bettis (right elbow inflammation) will return from the DL when the Rockies travel to Atlanta and Pittsburgh this week. ... Rockies lefty Jorge De La Rosa (7-5, 4.50) gets the ball to start a three-game series in Atlanta on Monday. He is 1-1 with a 6.57 ERA in six career games – four starts – against the Braves.
