Mets 4, Rockies 2
NEW YORK -- Second baseman Daniel Murphy's two-run, two-out single in the seventh inning Monday night broke a tie and capped a three-run rally by the New York Mets, who went on to beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2 at Citi Field.
The Mets (60-52) snapped a two-game losing streak and ensured they would remain at least 1 1/2 games ahead of the Washington Nationals in the National League East. The Nationals visit the Los Angeles Dodgers later Monday.
The Rockies (47-63) have lost eight of their last 12 games.
The Mets were stymied through six innings by Rockies rookie right-hander Jon Gray, who allowed just one hit -- a second-inning solo homer by catcher Travis d'Arnaud -- in his second major-league start before he was lifted with a 2-1 lead after 75 pitches.
D'Arnaud began the winning surge in the seventh with a one-out single up the middle against right-hander Justin Miller. Left fielder Michael Conforto drew a walk, pinch-hitter Juan Uribe popped up and shortstop Ruben Tejada walked to load the bases.
Miller was pulled for left-hander Boone Logan, who plunked right fielder Curtis Granderson with a 3-2 pitch to force home d'Arnaud with the tying run. Murphy singled just past ex-Mets shortstop Jose Reyes on the next pitch and pumped his right arm as Conforto and Tejada raced home.
The rally made a winner out of left-hander Jonathon Niese (7-9), who allowed two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five over seven innings. Right-hander Tyler Clippard threw a perfect eighth inning and right-hander Jeurys Familia notched his 31st save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Miller (1-1) took the loss.
Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez accounted for the Rockies' runs with a two-run, opposite-field homer in the fourth. Catcher Nick Hundley had two hits.
Gray walked two and struck out five.
NOTES: The Mets activated LF Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day disabled list and optioned INF/OF Eric Campbell to Triple-A Las Vegas. Cuddyer missed 17 games with soreness in his left knee. ... Mets 3B David Wright (spinal stenosis) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie on Monday night. Wright, the Mets' captain, hasn't played since April 14. ... Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon didn't start due to a minor ankle injury. Manager Walt Weiss said Blackmon, who started 102 of the first 109 games, is fine and Weiss just wanted to get him a day off. ... The Rockies are in the midst of a 16-game stretch in which they play the Mets and Washington Nationals, the top two teams in the NL East, 13 times.