By Dennis Georgatos, Associated Press
Nolan Arenado hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth that gave the Colorado Rockies a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Charlie Blackmon crashed into the center-field fence for an outstanding catch that ended the top of the ninth. In the bottom half, the Rockies took advantage of a misplay by new Mets shortstop Amed Rosario, a touted prospect making his major league debut.
Blackmon drew a leadoff walk from Hansel Robles (6-2), and DJ LeMahieu followed with an infield single off the glove of Rosario, unable to make the backhand play after initially breaking toward second base with Blackmon running on the pitch.
Arenado reached out and looped a single to center that scored Blackmon.
Mike Dunn (3-1) pitched an inning of scoreless relief for the win.
Rosario got his first big league hit in the eighth and turned in several solid defensive plays. Jay Bruce hit a solo homer off Colorado reliever Chris Rusin in the eighth to give the Mets a 4-3 lead, but the Rockies came right back in their half to tie it on Carlos Gonzalez's RBI single.
With the Rockies trailing 2-0 in the sixth, Blackmon singled and LeMahieu doubled off starter Steven Matz to begin the inning. Arenado worked the count full before connecting for his 24th home run, driving it over the right-center fence into the Mets' bullpen.
New York evened the score with an unearned run in the seventh when pinch-hitter Jose Reyes reached on a strikeout and passed ball and later scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's sacrifice fly.
The Rockies struggled to get their offense going early against Matz, who pitched into the sixth and allowed three runs on six hits. They went without a hit until Trevor Story beat out an infield single with one out in the fifth.
The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the first when Jeff Hoffman walked leadoff man Michael Conforto, and Yoenis Cespedes doubled to drive him home.
Bruce added an RBI double in the sixth.
Hoffman went six innings and allowed two runs on five hits.
