Rockies smack four home runs, still lose to Mets after Tanner Gordon gets shelled

NEW YORK — Say this for the Rockies: At least they made it interesting Friday night.

Down five runs after five innings, Brendan Rodgers, Charlie Blackmon and Brenton Doyle all homered between the seventh and eighth innings to pull Colorado within a run of the New York Mets in the opening game of their three-game set at Citi Field.

But Ezequiel Tovar struck out swinging with the tying runner on second base in the top of the ninth, as the Rockies dropped to 1-4 on their current road trip following a 7-6 loss to the Mets.

Michael Toglia also homered for Colorado, which is now 33-62 this season after another ineffective outing on the mound.

This time it was right-hander Tanner Gordon who got shelled to the tune of six runs on eight hits (four home runs) and two walks over three-plus innings. The Rockies have allowed six runs or more in five of their last six games.

All told, the Mets smacked a season-high five homers, with Harrison Bader and Jose Iglesias both going deep twice. That included Iglesias’ solo shot off Peter Lambert in the bottom of the fifth that proved to be the difference in the game.

Mark Vientos hit the Mets’ other homer and drilled an RBI double as New York (48-45) improved to 4-0 on a six-game homestand against the struggling Nationals and Rockies leading into the All-Star break. New York has won six of seven overall, improving to 24-10 since it was 11 games under .500 on June 2.

Sean Manaea (6-3) threw 74 of his season-high 107 pitches for strikes over seven innings, striking out nine to win his third straight decision. He handed a 7-3 lead to New York’s shaky bullpen, which barely held on.

Blackmon homered against Jake Diekman to start the eighth, and Doyle shaved it to 7-6 with a two-run shot off Phil Maton.

In between, Iglesias left his feet at third base to snare Elias Díaz’s 109.4 mph line drive, which got stuck in the webbing of his glove.

Edwin Díaz finally shut the door, working around consecutive two-out walks in a hitless ninth for his 10th save in 15 tries.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: RHP Germán Márquez threw a bullpen session and is scheduled to start Sunday in his return from Tommy John surgery. Márquez hasn’t pitched in the majors since April 26, 2023. … 1B/OF Kris Bryant (bruised left rib) took batting practice indoors and increased the intensity of his strength-and-conditioning workout. He is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment next Friday, right after the All-Star break. … Blackmon returned to the lineup as the DH after missing three games with a sore right hamstring. … LF Nolan Jones (back tightness) was scratched from the original lineup and replaced by Sam Hilliard.

Mets: RHP Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder impingement) will throw a bullpen Saturday. … RHP Shintaro Fujinami (shoulder strain) is scheduled to pitch in the minors again Sunday. “Maybe a couple more and then see where we’re at,” Mendoza said.