Abreu, Colon Lead Mets Past Padres

NEW YORK (AP) — Bobby Abreu went 4 for 4 with two RBIs and Bartolo Colon pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning as the New York Mets turned to a pair of 40-somethings to beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 on Friday night.

Abreu scored twice in the rain-delayed opener of a three-game series between fourth-place teams struggling to score. Colon (6-5) set down 18 straight batters and won his fourth consecutive decision, sending the Mets to only their second victory in 10 games.

Rene Rivera hit a two-run homer but Andrew Cashner (2-6) failed to hold a rare lead for the Padres, who have dropped five straight and nine of 11.

The hard-throwing Cashner, who entered with a 2.13 ERA, has lost five straight decisions. He gave up four runs and eight hits over six innings in his second start since spending more than three weeks on the disabled list with a sore right elbow.

Fans were advised to take cover on the concourse during the rain delay because of dangerous weather.

Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals between the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings was shown on the big video screen in center field for most of a delay at the start that lasted 1 hour, 56 minutes. And even after the ballgame began, some in the sparse crowd announced at 28,085 seemed to be paying much more attention to hockey.

With the Rangers trying to stave off elimination again, an audible groan went up in the seventh inning — just as New York defenseman Ryan McDonagh hit the post with a shot in overtime.

The 41-year-old Colon had uncharacteristic trouble with his command at the start. He walked his first batter and gave up Yonder Alonso's leadoff single in the second before Rivera connected for his fourth home run.

That gave Cashner an uncommon 2-0 lead — the Padres had scored only once in his previous 33 innings.

Colon, however, quickly regrouped and retired his next 18 batters until Alexi Amarista opened the eighth with a double. After throwing a called third strike past pinch-hitter Tommy Medica with his 118th pitch, Colon was lifted. He walked off the mound to a warm hand and softly clapped his hands.

Vic Black retired cleanup man Carlos Quentin with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Batting cleanup in place of Curtis Granderson (calf), the 40-year-old Abreu hit a leadoff double in the second and scored on Taylor Teagarden's two-out single.

Abreu singled in the fourth and Lucas Duda tied it 2-all on a two-out double just beyond the reach of diving center fielder Will Venable. Matt den Dekker blooped a ground-rule double that put New York ahead.

Abreu added RBI singles in the fifth and seventh. Slumping star David Wright had a long sacrifice fly in the seventh.

NOTES: The Padres were awaiting MRI results on LHP Robbie Erlin, on the DL with a sore elbow. ... RHP Jesse Hahn will be recalled from Double-A San Antonio to make his second major league start Saturday against New York. Hahn was a high school teammate of injured Mets ace Matt Harvey in Groton, Connecticut, about a 2-hour drive from Citi Field, and expects to have family and friends in the stands. ... Granderson was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive night because of a sore left calf. The outfielder had said he hoped to miss only one start, but manager Terry Collins thought it was wise to give Granderson more rest. Granderson was intentionally walked as a pinch-hitter Thursday night and replaced by a pinch-runner: pitcher Zack Wheeler. Granderson said Friday he was "good to go" if needed. ... Mets LF Eric Young Jr. (strained right hamstring) had his rehab assignment moved to Double-A Binghamton, and the team hopes he'll be ready to return at the end of the weekend. ... Collins said Jenrry Mejia's back felt a lot better, but he wasn't sure if the closer would be available. ... Ruben Tejada was back at shortstop and in the leadoff spot, dropping Daniel Murphy back to his customary No. 2 hole.

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