MIAMI (AP) - Bartolo Colon took his thumping on an emotional night with grace, and only regretted that Jose Fernandez didn’t get the win.
Colon allowed a season-high seven runs in 2 1/3 innings, and the New York Mets lost 7-3 to the grieving Miami Marlins on Monday.
New York’s loss tightened the NL wild-card standings, but the playoff race was temporarily overshadowed by a succession of heart-tugging moments as the Marlins mourned the death of Fernandez in a boat accident early Sunday.
“It was very difficult for everything they’re going through,” Colon said through an interpreter. “It’s very difficult for me, too, because it was someone that I had some sort of relationship with. Jose looked up to me, and we got along well.”
Colon gave up a homer to Dee Gordon leading off the first inning, and by the third the score was 7-0.
“It was great for them that they were able to win,” Colon said. “You know what, though, I really would have enjoyed it if it was Jose who got the win over me.”
Fernandez had been scheduled to pitch for Miami.
The blowout was a big change for the Mets, who began the week on a stretch of outscoring opponents 25-0 over a two-game span. New York still leads the San Francisco Giants by a half-game for the top spot in the wild-card race.
“I know (tonight was) all for Jose and the memory of Jose, but I like to win,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “This night is over, and hopefully we can get back to do what we do and start winning some baseball games.”
The left-handed-hitting Gordon paid tribute to Fernandez by stepping to the plate in the first inning as a righty.
“That was incredible,” Colon said. “He did that in honor of his teammate.”
After one pitch, Gordon switched to his customary left side, and pulled a 2-0 delivery from Colon into the upper deck for his first homer of the season.
The improbable clout brought tears, even from Gordon. After crossing the plate Gordon tapped his chest and waved toward the sky, and sobbed as teammates hugged him in the dugout.
Even the Mets appreciated what Gordon’s homer meant.
“I saw him crying when he rounded first base,” Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “I was crying too.”
Each of the Marlins wore black jerseys bearing Fernandez’s No. 16 and name, a tribute they had suggested. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton delivered an emotional speech as the entire team gathered at the mound moments before the game, and then contributed a hit, a run and a running, lunging backhanded catch in right field to rob Jay Bruce.
PREGAME
The pregame ceremony included a slow, solemn solo trumpet rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Following the national anthem, Collins led his Mets across the field to share hugs with the Marlins. The mood was such that Miami batting coach Barry Bonds even hugged each of the umpires.
“This is bigger than baseball tonight,” Collins said. “This kid touched a lot of people; he touched the game. There were a lot of people affected by what happened.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard, who missed Saturday’s start with strep throat, was cleared to pitch Tuesday. … LHP Steven Matz (shoulder) was examined by a doctor Monday and isn’t expected to pitch this week, making it unlikely he’ll be available in the postseason.
UP NEXT
Syndergaard (13-9, 2.63 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday against RHP Tom Koehler (9-12, 4.02 ERA). Syndergaard lasted only 3 2/3 innings in his most recent start.
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