Mets, Bartolo Colon Shutout Pirates on Dinosaur Day

May 28, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) reacts on his way to the dugout in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Some headlines write themselves as the New York Mets held Dinosaur Education day at Citi Field, and fittingly had Bartolo Colon on the bump.  Colon threw 121 pitches.  He hasn’t thrown that many in one game since 2004 which was also when the Pirates last defeated the right hander.  Colon put his 280 plus pounds behind each, and every pitch as he racked up nine strikeouts in the 5-0 Mets victory.

The game was beyond frustrating.

The 41-year-old Colon looked like his lively, two-seam fastball loving self from last season when he was with the Oakland Athletics.  So….so…many strikeouts looking.  Seven of the nine strikeouts came with the Bucs bats not being put in motion.    Of course it was a ….NEW SEASON HIGH for Colon.

The Mets had not win a series all month.  It all changed today.    And thinking a bit deeper, if it wasn’t for Jose Valverde the Buccos could have been swept.

The defense was once again just awful behind Pirates starter Charlie Morton which has been a theme most of the season.  Morton’s pitches had serious movement and on many occassions, it was obvious that he simply didn’t know where it was going.  The Amazins’ plated their first two runs thanks to a pair of wild pitches and another Pedro Alvarez throwing error combined with an error by Jordy Mercer on the same play.

May 28, 2014; New York, NY, USA;Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer (10) is unable to field the ball as New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy (28) steals second base in the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

May 28, 2014; New York, NY, USA;Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer (10) misses the tag on New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy (28) after a stolen base in the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Just ugly.  A team like the Pirates can’t spot our softball team two runs let alone the Mets who have piled up some quality starts from their rotation this season.

However, the leaky shark tank showed that they were not going to be out stunk by the Bucs defense.  The gopher ball returned when David Wright and Lucas Duda each went yard.

Cue the Barney music.

May 28, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) rounds the bases after hitting a home run off of Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Bryan Morris (29) in the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports