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 The Milwaukee right-hander allowed only two hits over a career-best
eight innings, leading the Brewers to a 4-1 victory Tuesday night at
Miller Park.
New York dropped its season-worst seventh game in a row.
Nelson, in the midst of an up-and-down season, was 1-4 with a 6.06
ERA in five starts since an eight-inning gem at Detroit on May 19.
First innings were especially difficult for him of late -- Nelson
(4-8) allowed at least one first-inning run in seven of his previous
nine starts -- but he made quick work of the Mets, retiring the side
in order in the first.
"It was good to finally get through the first inning," the
26-year-old pitcher said. "I was able to execute my pitches better
today than I have in my last couple of starts. (Catcher Jonathan
Lucroy) called a good game today. The defense was great, they made
some pretty good plays that picked me up pretty big."
Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 15th
save of the season.
Milwaukee's offense chipped in from the start, opening with four
consecutive first-inning hits off right-hander Bartolo Colon (9-6)
to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead.
The opening inning could have been bigger, as the Brewers had
runners at the corners with no outs but failed to add another run.
After Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson cut the margin in half
with a solo homer in the fourth, Milwaukee got a run in the fifth on
an RBI single by center fielder Carlos Gomez and another in the
sixth on second baseman Scooter Gennett's solo home run.
"It feels like a different game playing from ahead, letting your
pitcher know he's got some room for error and let him be on the
attack," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I thought we did a
great job adding on. Braun's play, just a little play hustling to
first base got us a run. That's a big play. A really big play.
"Scooter made a great defensive play to lead off the sixth against
(Mets first baseman Lucas) Duda. Takes a leadoff runner off base. We
played a good game all around for sure."
In all, Milwaukee collected 10 hits and four runs off Colon, who
went six innings and walked one while striking out three.
"They were really aggressive early in the count," Colon said through
his interpreter, bullpen coach Ricky Bones. "I mixed my location
early in the game, and they were just able to connect really well."
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Grandson's homer was his team-leading 11th of the season and second
in as many games.
"We didn't mount anything today outside of the home run and the
double (by second baseman Ruben Tejeda) late," Collins said. "That
was about it."
The Mets (36-37) fell below .500 for the first time since April 11,
when they were 2-3.
"We made a couple of changes to the lineup today because lefties
tend to hit Nelson, but they didn't work," Collins said. "Tomorrow,
we'll reassess where we're at. We'll have a couple of our guys back
in there tomorrow, and we'll see if we can get some big hits."
NOTES: Mets 3B Daniel Murphy went 1-for-1 with a walk Wednesday in a
rehab game in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Murphy has been
sidelined since June 5 with a strained left quad. ... Mets manager
Terry Collins gave some of his regulars a day off. OF Michael
Cuddyer, INF Dilson Herrera and C Kevin Plawecki all got a break
Wednesday and will be back in the lineup Thursday for the series
finale at Milwaukee. ... Brewers LHP Will Smith has not allowed a
run in 28 of his 32 appearances this season, including his last 13
in a row. Smith has held opponents to a .158 average on the season
while striking out 36 in 26 2/3 innings but will continue working
out of the bullpen for the time being, manager Craig Counsell said.
... The Mets have scored just nine runs and fell to 0-7 on their
current road trip and 10-26 away from Citi Field this season. ...
Milwaukee won a home series for just the second time this season.
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