Verrett struggles in 3rd inning as Mets fall to Rockies 7-4

DENVER (AP) - Logan Verrett thought he got a big out in a bases-loaded jam in the third inning.

Not so fast.

Denied a third strike, he gave up two key hits and the New York Mets fell to the Colorado Rockies 7-4 on Saturday night. Neil Walker had three hits, including a solo home run, for the Mets, who have lost three straight and four of their last five.

By the time Walker homered in the fourth inning, the game had already slipped away from New York after the Rockies scored five runs in the third. The key moment came when Verrett appeared to get a swing and miss on Tony Wolters with the bases loaded and pitcher Eddie Butler on deck.

Instead of strike three, home plate umpire Carlos Torres ruled Wolters had fouled off the pitch. Replays showed Wolters didn’t make contact, and he later doubled in the at-bat.

“I was really surprised,” Verrett said. “The umpire started waving his arms immediately. I didn’t know what he saw, then I realized he was calling a foul tip and I was really taken back. Wolters was walking back to the dugout. He thought it was strike three as well.”

Manager Terry Collins argued the call and was ejected before Wolters doubled.

“It’s unfair. There is no reason for it,” Collins said. “The hitter turned around and walked back to the dugout. It doesn’t matter what I said, it doesn’t matter what he heard, the call stood. Replay is dictated. You can’t challenge it. It cost us the game.”

Logan (3-1) struggled in the same place where he earned his first win in his major league debut. Verrett gave up just one run in eight innings on Aug. 23, 2015, but was pulled in the third inning Saturday after giving up Wolters’ double and a two-run single to Charlie Blackmon that made it 7-1.

“It was my job to pitch out of it and limit the damage and I wasn’t able to do that, which was unfortunate,” Verrett said. “It was all downhill from there.”

Butler (2-1) allowed four runs on nine hits in five-plus innings for the loss. Jake McGee pitched the ninth for his 11th save.

Colorado sent 10 batters to the plate in the third inning to chase Verrett.

“I thought he threw the ball well,” Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki said. “One tough inning in the third.”

Walker’s leadoff homer in the fourth - his 10th and first since April 27th - and two more runs in the sixth made it 7-4. Gonzalez German relieved Butler after the first two batters reached in the inning and worked out of the jam.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: Collins said 3B David Wright will probably sit out Sunday’s game. It is a normal day of rest for Wright, who has struggled at the plate. He has struck out 45 times this season. He was 2 for 4 Saturday night.

UP NEXT

Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.12 ERA) is 2-0 in two starts against Colorado. He has not allowed a run to the Rockies in 15 innings against them.

Rockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (4-3, 3.09) will try to change his fortunes at Coors Field. Chatwood is 0-3 with a 7.88 ERA in four home starts this season.