José Peraza homered starting the third inning of the opener and followed with a tiebreaking single in the fourth inning of the second game, helping the New York Mets sweep a doubleheader from the Colorado Rockies 1-0 and 4-2.
Marcus Stroman (4-4) ended a six-start winless streak, allowing three hits over six innings in the first game. Aaron Loup (2-0) pitched a one-hit fifth inning to win the second game.
Peraza, signed to be a reserve but pressed into everyday duty in the infield due to the Mets' many injuries, went 2 for 4 with three RBI in the doubleheader after hitting .156 (5 for 32) with a homer and four RBI in his previous 11 games.
"You just have to be prepared, and that's what I've been doing," Peraza said through an interpreter. "I'm going to try to do my best so we can win every single game. At the end of the day, it's just being prepared for your opportunity and this is what I'm doing now."
The doubleheader sweep was the second of the season for the Mets, who have split two other twin bills. Stroman has started a game in three of New York's doubleheaders, pitching 17 innings.
"We only have to use him and a reliever," Mets manager Luis Rojas said. "So that's a blessing to go to the second game, where you have more arms available so you can kind of be a little bit bolder earlier in that game, even though it's a seven-inning game."
Colorado lost three in a row after winning the series opener, falling to 3-20 with eight shutout losses on the road this year.
"You've got to tip your hat at times to the opposing pitchers — they threw the ball well. They've got a good pitching staff," manager Bud Black said after the Mets held Colorado to six runs in the series. "We had some opportunities in really, four low-scoring games, and we just couldn't break through."
Before the doubleheader, Rojas announced right-hander Noah Syndergaard's return from Tommy John surgery will be delayed beyond June. Syndergaard, rehabilitating from the operation on March 26 last year, had an MRI that revealed right elbow inflammation and was told not to throw for six weeks.
New York also is missing right-hander right-hander Carlos Carrasco, sidelined until late June or early July by a strained right hamstring that has kept him out since spring training.
"Right now, just being in the middle of the season, I'm looking forward to having everyone healthy at some point," Rojas said..
Stroman had been 0-4 since winning in Denver on April 18. He struck out three and walked two, lowering his ERA to 2.47. Stroman pitched at least six innings for the fourth straight start and the seventh time this season.
Edwin Díaz got three straight outs to remain perfect in nine save chances. New York pitched its fourth shutout this season.
Peraza's home run, on a first-pitch slider, was one of only three hits for the Mets off Germán Márquez (3-5), who struck out eight, walked one and needed just 62 pitches for his third complete game in 117 big league starts.
Márquez pitched a two-hitter in a seven-inning complete game that beat the Mets 7-2 on April 17.
Bill McKinney, who made his debut in the opener following his trade from Milwaukee, put the Mets ahead in the second game with a run-scoring double-play grounder in the first.
Joey Lucchesi walked the first two batters he faced, but retired the next three batters, along with the help of a running catch by Billy McKinney to end the Rockies’ threat. Lucchesi wound up retiring nine in a row before struggling again in the fourth inning. He put two men on with two outs, and was relieved after 70 pitches.
Drew Smith relieved Lucchesi, and allowed an RBI single to Connor Joe, with the run being charged to Lucchesi. In all, the lefty tossed 3.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two.
The Mets loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning. Patrick Mazeika struck out, but Jose Peraza, whose home run in game one was the only offense the Mets needed in that win, found a hole to give the Mets a 2-1 lead.
In the sixth inning, Peraza walked with the bases loaded to give the Mets a 3-1 lead. Peraza was responsible for all three RBI in the doubleheader.
Aaron Loup and Jeurys Familia combined for two shutout innings to hold the Mets' lead.
Robert Gsellman struggled in his effort to close out the game, allowing a run on one hit and a hit batsman. The Mets brought in Jacob Barnes with two outs and the tying run at the plate, and he induced a flyout to Ryan McMahon to end the ballgame.
Taijuan Walker (right side) participated in a throwing session Thursday and could be activated off the IL when eligible Friday.
The Mets continue there 7 homestand on Friday as Atlanta Braves come to Citi Field for the first of a 3 game series.
(photo: getty Images)