Mets at Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are hoping a trip back home will return some of the thump to their bats. The Rockies totaled nine hits in a doubleheader split at Pittsburgh on Wednesday and did not top four runs in any game while going 3-3 on a six-game trip through Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. The New York Mets are riding a pitching wave, having allowed a total of four runs in earning a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins.
Colorado is batting .289 with an .842 OPS at home and .211 with a .620 OPS on the road. Seemingly the only player on the team who has not been better in the thin air is Troy Tulowitzki, who is batting .258 without a homer at Coors Field. The Mets will be testing their pitching luck in the series. After placing Mike Pelfrey on the disabled list with an elbow injury, New York will give Chris Schwinden the first chance at locking down the empty rotation slot.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), ROOT (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Chris Schwinden (2011: 0-2, 4.71 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 6.75 ERA)
Schwinden made four starts for New York last September, allowing a total of 23 hits while striking out 17 in 21 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander started out 2012 at Triple-A Buffalo, where he was 2-2 with a 2.05 ERA before getting the call.
Pomeranz was knocked around for five runs over 4 1/3 innings in his first start but turned it around last time out, surrendering two runs on two hits over five frames in a no-decision at Milwaukee. Command is an issue for the 23-year-old, who has issued five walks in 9 1/3 total innings this season and has never made it through six innings in six career major league outings.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Pelfrey will meet with Dr. James Andrews in Alabama on Friday.
2. Rockies LF Carlos Gonzalez lost consecutive fly balls in the sun during the first game of the doubleheader on Wednesday, adding to a four-run inning.
3. Tulowitzki is batting .328 with seven home runs in 30 career games against the Mets.