Mets Take 3 of 4 from Colorado, split DH

The Mets have suddenly made the Rockies look like they did most of July: offensively inept. The Metropolitans beat the Rockies 7-0 in the first game of the doubleheader. Now New York is on a roll with five straight wins. Johan Santana (12-8) pitched seven shutout innings on the way to his 12th win of the season, and Colorado was shut out for the second straight game and held to only four hits. Santana did a fantastic job getting ahead of hitters with 18 first pitch strikes to the 26 batters he faced. He also threw 73 of his 104 pitches for strikes and struck out eight batters. When you let Johan get ahead in the count, it is tough to hang in there because it is so hard to hit that devastating change up.

In addition to Santana being vintage Santana, the Mets offense put up a five spot in the second inning, with the big hit coming off a Angel Berroa two run double. The offense was so dominating, that New York even chased Rockies starter Jason Hammel after only an inning and a third. David Wright also chipped in with a double and two RBI's, and he seems to be hitting for a lot more power lately. The homers might not be there, but he is hitting a lot more doubles than he was a few weeks ago. Hopefully he can start to heat up, and Jeff Francoeur hitting behind him and being on a roll has to be helping Wright get more pitches to hit.

The Mets and Rockies did not have to wait long to get back out on the field. After the first game at 12:10, the teams took the field for game two at 7:10, a make up of Wednesday's rainout. Unfortunately, the Mets could not complete the sweep in the first ever doubleheader at Citi Field as they fell to the Rockies 4-2, ending their five game winning streak. The Mets got on the board first in the 4th with a Francoeur RBI sac fly, but could not hold the lead. Colorado tied it in the 6th, and then the wheels fell off in the 7th.

Jonathon Niese gave up a lead off double to the pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, which came back to haunt him and the Mets. Fernando Tatis then made a spectacular diving catch on a ball that was smoked by LF Seth Smith. But then Clint Barmes hit the ball so hard that no one could catch it except the fans in the stands. Barmes's two run shot put the Rockies ahead for good, and then Troy Tulowitzki hit a triple off the left field wall that brought Barmes home. Niese has definitely made huge strides in his short time in the majors. He has great stuff with a sharp 12 to 6 bite on his curveball, and he mixes in a high 80's to low 90's fastball. However, he walks guys to lead off innings, and you cannot let the pitcher get a double to lead off the 7th with the big bats coming up. That is totally inexcusable. De La Rosa was batting .089 before he smoked a double over Pagan's head, and why Niese gave him a fastball down the middle was beyond me.

Tidbits

• The Mets are 21-4 at home against the Rockies since 2003
• Omar Minaya apologized to Daily News writer Adam Rubin in New York on Wednesday. Rubin accepted his apology, saying Omar's "remorse was sincere"
• The Mets called up Robinson Cancel from AAA Buffalo and designated pitcher Elmer Dessens for assignment
• Omir Santos caught both games of the doubleheader since Schneider's left knee was bothering him. Brian should be back in the lineup tonight against Arizona
• Luis Castillo's wife gave birth to his second child, a baby girl, Thursday morning. Castillo missed the first game, but played in the second one.
• The Mets are back at it tonight at Citi Field as the Arizona Diamondbacks make their first trip to the Mets new home. Livan Hernandez goes up against Doug Davis at 7:10.

(AP Photos/Frank Franklin II)