Mets 12, Rockies 3
NEW YORK -- Second baseman Kelly Johnson had a pair of RBI doubles and a solo homer Thursday afternoon, when the New York Mets collected nine extra-base hits in completing a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 12-3 win at Citi Field.
The Mets (63-52) moved a season-high 11 games over .500 and increased their lead in the National League East over the Washington Nationals to four games, pending the Nationals' game against the San Francisco Giants later Thursday. This is the first time New York has been 11 games over .500 since June 27, 2010.
The Rockies (47-66) have lost 10 of their last 14 games.
Johnson delivered run-scoring doubles in the first and third and homered in the fifth. He had entered Thursday with just six hits in 38 at-bats for the Mets, who had acquired him from the Atlanta Braves on July 24.
Right fielder Curtis Granderson hit a two-run homer, scored twice and drove in three. Juan Lagares hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning.
Rookie right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard (7-6) recovered from a rough start to last seven innings for the seventh time in 17 starts. Syndergaard allowed the three runs on four hits -- none after the second -- and two walks while striking out five.
Syndergaard (7-6) gave up solo homers to second baseman DJ LeMahieu and third baseman Nolan Arenado in the first, but the Mets took the lead in the bottom of the inning on one-out RBI doubles by first baseman Daniel Murphy, third baseman Juan Uribe and Johnson -- all off right-hander Eddie Butler (3-10).
The Rockies tied the score in the top of the third, when center fielder Charlie Blackmon drew a leadoff walk, stole second, went to third on a flyout by LeMahieu and scored on a groundout by right fielder Carlos Gonzalez.
But the Mets took the lead for good in the third on Johnson's two-out RBI double. New York piled on over the next three innings -- via Granderson's homer in the fourth, Johnson's homer in the fifth and Granderson's sacrifice fly in the sixth, which was delivered immediately before an RBI single by center fielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Butler allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four.
NOTES: Mets 1B Lucas Duda (back) missed his third straight game. Manager Terry Collins said he was growing increasingly concerned about Duda, who received medication Wednesday, and that a roster move might be necessary if he does not get better over the weekend. ... Mets LHP Jerry Blevins, who is out for the season after twice breaking his left arm, visited with teammates before the game. ... Rockies OF/1B Matt McBride, who was promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, started at first base Thursday. It was his first major league start since Sept. 14, 2014.