Garrett Atkins received a rare start against a right-hander Tuesday. He found himself in the lineup at third base after Ian Stewart left to be with his wife Susan for the birth of their first child. Atkins had a productive first at-bat without swinging the bat. He battled back from an 0-2 count to walk with the bases loaded, ushering home Seth Smith with the Rockies’ first run. He later singled in the fifth.
Road to nowhere.
Even for the Mets, this mistake was hard to comprehend. On Luis Castillo’s first-inning line drive to center field, Angel Pagan raced to second, rounded the bag, then inexplicably retreated, thinking the ball had been caught. He was forced out at second before he could make it back on his return visit.
Roster wrinkle.
Colorado created 40-man roster spots for Jason Giambi and Paul Phillips by placing pitchers Greg Reynolds and Greg Smith on the 60-day disabled list. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
