Reyes has 5 RBIs, Mets pound 20 hits off Braves in 16-5 rout (May 03, 2017)
ATLANTA (AP) Early on, the New York Mets made two silly base-running mistakes, both resulting in double plays.
By the end of the night, it hardly mattered.
Jose Reyes matched a career high with five RBIs and the Mets pounded out 20 hits, cruising to a 16-5 rout of the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
”You’re starting to see better at-bats, better pitch selection,” manager Terry Collins said. ”That’s the big difference right now.”
Rene Rivera drove in three runs, while Michael Conforto and even pitcher Jacob deGrom had two RBIs apiece.
Reyes had a run-scoring single in the third, a sacrifice fly in the fifth and finished off the Braves with a three-run double in the eighth.
DeGrom (2-1) struggled on the mound, surrendering eight hits, walking five and giving up five runs. He threw 109 pitches before being lifted after five innings, just long enough to qualify for the win.
”The outing is frustrating for me,” he said. ”What did I walk? Five guys? I feel good early on and don’t know what’s happening later in the game. I don’t know if I’m trying to do too much or something and lose control.”
The Mets jumped all over former teammate Bartolo Colon (1-3), who spent the last three seasons in New York. The 43-year-old lasted just four innings, giving up five runs, seven hits and two walks.
Colon was much more effective in his first start of the season against the Mets – a six-inning stint on April 5 at New York in which he allowed only two hits and a run. This time, he fell behind 5-0 by the third.
”He’s getting too much of the plate,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. ”A lot of his pitches are right down the middle. It’s about location for him.”
Colon’s sinker is especially…