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 With the Mets trailing 2-1 and a runner on, Byrd drove a fastball from reliever Matt Belisle (4-5) into the left-center seats. That was about the extent of the offense for New York with star slugger David Wright receiving a rare rest. Starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner drove in the team's other run on a groundout.
LaTroy Hawkins (3-1) earned the win with a scoreless seventh and Bobby Parnell closed for his 14th save in 17 chances. The fourth-place Mets finished 7-4 on a four-city road trip that took them to three time zones. They have won eight of 12 overall.
Michael Cuddyer had three singles for Colorado to extend his hitting streak to a franchise-record 24 games, but was thrown out by Byrd trying to stretch one of them into a double leading off the ninth.
Cuddyer entered the game tied with Dante Bichette before breaking the team mark with a single to center off Hefner on a hot afternoon.
The weather was drastically different from the Mets' trip to town in mid-April, when the temperature barely crept above 28 degrees and heavy snow blanketed the area. The series opener was postponed, forcing a frosty doubleheader the next day. The game on April 17 was delayed, too, leading to New York's quick detour to Denver on Thursday after a two-game series in Chicago with the White Sox.
This time, the weather was 95 degrees with barely a cloud in the sky.
Colorado was cruising along until the eighth, when shortstop Jonathan Herrera and second baseman Josh Rutledge collided while trying to field Daniel Murphy's single up the middle. Murphy stole second and Byrd followed with his 12th homer.
Hefner went six innings, giving up two runs -- one earned -- and five hits.
Tyler Chatwood took a no-hit bid into the fifth before it was broken up by Zach Lutz, one of four hits the Mets managed off Chatwood.
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The righty threw a season-high 103 pitches, and his best may have been his last when he struck out Juan Lagares looking on a 92 mph fastball with the bases loaded in the sixth.
Earlier in that inning, Chatwood took a line drive off his right leg. After a few warmup pitches, he remained in the game.
New York loaded the bases with none out in the fifth, but Chatwood was able to work out of the sticky situation, giving up only one run on a fielder's choice by Hefner. Left fielder Carlos Gonzalez ended the threat with a sliding catch in foul territory.
The Rockies scored twice in the second, when Cuddyer led off with a single and went to third on Wilin Rosario's double. Todd Helton hit a sacrifice fly, and Rosario later scored on a throwing error by first baseman Josh Satin.
New York had two former Rockies batting 1-2 in the order in Eric Young Jr. and Omar Quintanilla. Young was acquired by the Mets last week from Colorado after he was designated for assignment.
Young received a round of applause from the crowd in his first plate appearance. He's long been a fan favorite, especially since his dad played in the Mile High City.
"When they told me, it was a little bit of a shock," Young said before the game. "But I understand the business. I'm excited to get a chance to play back here so soon, to see my guys."
NOTES: Mets manager Terry Collins said SS Ruben Tejada (strained quadriceps) might be ready to play in some Gulf Coast League games this weekend. Tejada could head to either Double-A or Triple-A on a rehab assignment after that. ... The Rockies signed INF Reid Brignac to a minor league deal. ... Cuddyer has reached base in 43 straight games, a team record. The previous mark was 41 set by Andres Galarraga and matched by Helton. Both of those, though, were over the course of two seasons. ... Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki (broken rib) has started some light throwing.
[Associated
Press; By PAT GRAHAM]
Copyright 2013 The Associated
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