Cespedes Flying High In Colorado; Mets Hold Off Rockies

Yoenesis Cespedes went off on Friday night in Colorado.

The slugging Cespedes showed on Friday night how he can carry an offense, something he hadn't fully displayed in his first three weeks with the Mets.

Cespedes' five-hit night in the thin, mile-high air of Colorado included three home runs - a second-inning grand slam, a solo shot in the fourth, then a go-ahead two-run bullet in the sixth - as the Mets held blew a huge lead, then pulled away late for 14-9 win over the Rockies.

After the Mets build a 7-1 second inning lead, starter Bartolo Colon struggled to keep Colorado's offense quiet. He gave up seven runs on nine hits, including three HRs, and didn't make in out of the fourth.

After the Rockies tied that game at 8, then nearly took the lead on a reviewed, but upheld, play. Cespedes drilled a go-ahead homer in the sixth, pushing the Mets back in front 10-8.

Daniel Murphy drove in two and scored two, while the Mets also got solo-homers from Travis d'Arnaud and Michael Conforto.

Starter Jon Gray was tagged for seven runs in the first inning and two-thirds, but was off the hook when the Rocks' rallied. Nolan Arendao homered and drove in three. Ben Paulsen and Carlos Gonzalez also went deep.

New York's Sean Gilmartin (2-1) worked 2.1 innings in relief for the win.

**During a second inning bunt attempt, Colon was hit in his throwing wrist with a pitch while attempting a sacrifice bunt. He was examined but stayed in the game until Arendado's 3-run HR to draw the Rockies to within 8-7.