41 and dominant
Bartolo Colon ‘really surprised’ how well he’s pitching at age 41
Atlanta’s A.J. Pierzynski singled and had thoughts on second base in the top of the sixth. Bartolo Colon, using primarily fastballs because of a blister, was focused on the batter, Andrelton Simmons, who already had delivered two hits. Pierzynski broke for second.
Colon, 41, stepped off and the Braves’ catcher was hung up between first and second. Colon ran toward him and tagged him for the third out.
“I thank Pierzynski for taking off and making it a lot easier so I didn’t have to face one of the toughest guys in the lineup,” Colon said through an interpreter.
As it turned out, Colon’s day, something of a historic day in the Mets’ 6-3 win, was done at that point. He checked the Braves on seven hits and three earned runs, with Atlanta scoring twice through the aid of an awful decision by second baseman Daniel Murphy, who threw home instead of going for a double play.
No matter. Colon cut the damage short and got the win for the fourth time in as many starts this season, becoming the fourth pitcher in the last 80 years aged 40 or older to win his first four starts, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Colon joined Phil Niekro, 45, (1984), Nolan Ryan, 43, (1990) and Roger Clemens, 41 (2004, when he won his first seven).
“I’m really surprised I’m pitching the way I’m pitching at my age, but the main thing is team. The team is giving run support. They’re playing as a team and giving everything I need,” said Colon.
In the cold and wind, Colon still wore shorts sleeves.
“I pitched in Chicago and Cleveland and it was colder than this, it didn’t affect me,” he said.
Well, Colon affected the Braves.
“He had a little blister issue so that was part of the reason for a lot of fastballs,” catcher Anthony Recker said. “He used the two-seam a lot. It was moving a ton with that wind blowing. It was awesome. He got a lot of strikeouts on that, got a lot of weak contact on that.”
Colon didn’t walk anyone and finished with five strikeouts, despite the middle-finger blister.
“It only bothered me to use secondary pitches and I didn’t use them so it didn’t bother me,” Colon said.
“Nothing fazes him. He’s got a blister on his middle finger and pitched with it and didn’t say a word. Just went out and did his job,” manager Terry Collins said. “He’s remarkable, he truly is. He’s the epitome of what pitching is all about: moving the ball around the strike zone trying to change speed a little bit.”
