The New York Mets are starting to find their rhythm, and Monday's early start in Denver was proof positive. Carson Benge launched a leadoff homer in the sixth inning to break up a no-hit bid, and the Mets rode that momentum to a 4-2 win over a reeling Colorado Rockies team—a game that was moved up three hours to dodge incoming wet weather.
Mark Vientos, fresh off a two-homer performance Sunday, added a two-run single to fuel the Mets' offense. New York is now 3-1 on a nine-game road trip, a welcome turnaround after dropping 17 of 20 games. Benge didn't just swing the bat—he also robbed a hit with a diving catch in center field, saving a run and showing the kind of all-around play that's been missing during the team's slump.
The Rockies, meanwhile, have lost five straight and six of seven since sweeping the Mets at Citi Field in late April. That sweep feels like ages ago now, as Colorado's bats have gone quiet and their pitching has struggled to hold leads.
The game's pivotal moment came in the sixth inning. Tomoyuki Sugano (3-2) was dominant through five, throwing just 48 pitches and facing the minimum. But baseball can change in an instant. Benge's homer to right-center was the first hit of the game for New York, and it opened the floodgates. Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens followed with consecutive doubles, making it 2-0. After a walk to Juan Soto and a groundout, Vientos delivered a two-out single off Jaden Hill to plate two more runs.
On the mound, Denver native David Peterson (1-4) gave the Mets four solid innings of relief, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out six without walking a batter. Craig Kimbrel handled the eighth, and Devin Williams closed the door in the ninth for his fourth save of the season.
Colorado tried to rally in the seventh, scoring twice on Jordan Beck's RBI triple and a Kyle Karros single. Mickey Moniak, who extended his hitting streak to 17 games, tripled in the eighth, but the Rockies couldn't bring him home.
With snow and cold temperatures expected Tuesday and Wednesday, the early start was a smart move. The Mets and Rockies are scheduled to play again Tuesday night, with Freddy Peralta (1-3, 3.52 ERA) taking the mound for New York against Colorado's Michael Lorenzen (2-3, 6.09 ERA). If Monday was any indication, the Mets might just be heating up at the right time.