Mets' Paul Blackburn earns first career save with four-inning outing after shift to bullpen
Access the Mets beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free
DENVER — Francisco Alvarez wanted to present the ball from the last out to a rookie umpire who had just worked his first game behind the plate Sunday, but there was a dissenting voice.
'I was like, 'Hey, man, that is my first career save,' ' Paul Blackburn said after the Mets' 13-5 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field.
Advertisement
Blackburn received the ball.
He earned it, pitching four innings for the save after Tylor Megill was removed after five innings and 82 pitches.
3 Paul Blackburn throws a pitch during the Mets' win against the Rockies on June 8.
Getty Images
Advertisement
Blackburn allowed three earned runs (two of them in the ninth when he said he was just trying to throw the ball over the plate with the Mets rolling) on seven hits and one walk.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said the plan from the start was to receive five innings from Megill, who was on regular rest following a start last Tuesday against the Dodgers in which he threw 105 pitches, and then let Blackburn go long.
That strategy would allow rest for an overtaxed bullpen.
Advertisement
3 Paul Blackburn delivers a pitch during the Mets' win against the Rockies on June 8.
AP
'There was about a 99.9 percent chance I was in the game today,' said Blackburn, who hadn't pitched in relief since 2023.
'That first inning I had the juices flowing a little bit. I felt like I was making my debut again, running out there.'
Blackburn returned from the injured last Monday and pitched five scoreless innings in a start against the Dodgers as part of a six-man rotation.
Advertisement
3 Paul Blackburn celebrates with Pete Alonso after the Mets defeated the Rockies on June 8.
AP
CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS
Mendoza reverted to a five-man rotation afterward, pushing Blackburn to the bullpen.
'It was huge for him to go out there, getting his first save, but just pretty much finishing the game,' Mendoza said. 'That's a huge role in the bullpen and he was able to get the job done today.'
Frankie Montas threw 76 pitches over 3 ²/₃ innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse.
The right-hander allowed three earned runs on three hits and four walks in a second straight subpar outing for Syracuse.
The right-hander, who is rehabbing from a lat strain, will receive at least one additional start in the minors before he's considered for removal from the injured list.
Advertisement
Delivering insights on all things Amazin's
Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+
Thank you
Enter your email address
Please provide a valid email address.
By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter!
Check out more newsletters
The Mets have won eight straight games against the Rockies dating to last season.
It's the Mets' longest winning streak against Colorado since winning 11 straight in 2014-15.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
12 minutes ago
- CBS News
White Sox get clobbered by Houston Astros a night after win
Christian Walker homered among his three hits and had a season-high four RBIs to lead the Houston Astros over the Chicago White Sox 10-2 on Wednesday night. Jose Altuve added two hits to give him 2,300 in his career, joining Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,342) as the only active players with at least 2,300. Altuve got things going with an RBI double in the first. There were two outs in the inning when Walker homered to left field off Sean Burke (3-7) to make it 3-0. Houston starter Ryan Gusto (4-3) allowed seven hits and two runs with a season-best seven strikeouts in a season-high six innings. Josh Rojas had two hits for the White Sox, who fell to 7-27 on the road. Altuve singled with two outs in the third before Yainer Diaz walked. Walker then smacked a line drive to center field for a double to score them both and push the lead to 5-0. There was one out in the fourth when Cam Smith hit a ground-rule double. With two outs, Jeremy Peña doubled on a ball that bounced off the wall in left field to make it 6-0. Isaac Paredes followed with another RBI double to chase Burke, who yielded eight hits and seven runs — both career highs — in 3 2/3 innings. Rojas singled in the fifth and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Vinny Capra. Rojas scored on a groundout by Mike Tauchman to cut it to 7-1. Miguel Vargas hit an RBI single to make it 7-2. Paredes had three hits and two RBIs to help the Astros snap a two-game skid. Key moment Walker's home run that put Houston up 3-0 early. Key stat Walker had just two RBIs in his previous six games. Up next Houston LHP Framber Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) opposes RHP Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62) when the series concludes Thursday night.
Associated Press
31 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Walker homers and drives in 4 as Astros rout White Sox 10-2
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] HOUSTON (AP) — Christian Walker homered among his three hits and had a season-high four RBIs to lead the Houston Astros over the Chicago White Sox 10-2 on Wednesday night. Jose Altuve added two hits to give him 2,300 in his career, joining Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,342) as the only active players with at least 2,300. Altuve got things going with an RBI double in the first. There were two outs in the inning when Walker homered to left field off Sean Burke (3-7) to make it 3-0. Houston starter Ryan Gusto (4-3) allowed seven hits and two runs with a season-best seven strikeouts in a season-high six innings. Josh Rojas had two hits for the White Sox, who fell to 7-27 on the road. Altuve singled with two outs in the third before Yainer Diaz walked. Walker then smacked a line drive to center field for a double to score them both and push the lead to 5-0. There was one out in the fourth when Cam Smith hit a ground-rule double. With two outs, Jeremy Peña doubled on a ball that bounced off the wall in left field to make it 6-0. Isaac Paredes followed with another RBI double to chase Burke, who yielded eight hits and seven runs — both career highs — in 3 2/3 innings. Rojas singled in the fifth and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Vinny Capra. Rojas scored on a groundout by Mike Tauchman to cut it to 7-1. Miguel Vargas hit an RBI single to make it 7-2. Paredes had three hits and two RBIs to help the Astros snap a two-game skid. Key moment Walker's home run that put Houston up 3-0 early. Key stat Walker had just two RBIs in his previous six games. Up next Houston LHP Framber Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) opposes RHP Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62) when the series concludes Thursday night. ___ AP MLB:
CBS News
37 minutes ago
- CBS News
Buxton's 479-foot homer powers Twins to 6-2 win over Rangers
Court filings reveal reason for federal raid in Minneapolis, and more headlines Court filings reveal reason for federal raid in Minneapolis, and more headlines Court filings reveal reason for federal raid in Minneapolis, and more headlines Byron Buxton launched a 479-foot home run, the second-longest in the majors this season, to power the Minnesota Twins past the Texas Rangers 6-2 on Wednesday night. Buxton's three-run shot to center field off starter Jack Leiter (4-3) was the longest of his 144 career homers, and it gave Minnesota a 3-2 lead in the third inning. The only big league home run hit farther this year was a 484-foot drive by Angels star Mike Trout on April 19. Buxton finished with three hits and a stolen base. His titanic homer came moments after he made a highlight-reel catch that resulted in a standing ovation from Twins fans. With two runners aboard, Buxton sprinted to the gap in left-center and dove to rob Marcus Semien of a hit to end the top of the third. Willi Castro added a two-run triple in the fifth for Minnesota and scored on Carlos Correa's ground-rule double. Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa (58) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of baseball game Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Minneapolis. Matt Krohn / AP David Festa (1-1) allowed two runs and three hits in six innings, matching the longest start of his career. Leiter lasted just four innings and allowed four runs on five hits and four walks. Semien homered in the second for Texas, and Josh Smith had an RBI double in the third. While Buxton's homer was huge, his catch in the top of the third was also pivotal. Texas had runners on first and second, both of which might have scored on Semien's drive had Buxton not made the diving catch. A pair of Twins players extended their streaks at the plate. Ty France pushed his on-base streak to a career-high 22 games with a single in the fifth. Brooks Lee stretched his hitting streak to 11 games with a third-inning double. LHP Patrick Corbin (3-5, 3.52 ERA) starts the series finale for Texas, looking for his first win in nearly a month. Minnesota counters with RHP Bailey Ober (4-2, 3.78), who allowed five runs in a loss his last time out.
