NEW YORK — Bartolo Colon enjoyed the whole evening — the nods and taps from former teammates, the tributes from the crowd.
He liked the result, too. Long after he exited, his Atlanta Braves earned their first win of the season.
Colon returned to Citi Field and made a sharp debut for his new club, and Matt Kemp’s third double of the game in the 12th inning lifted the Braves over the New York Mets 3-1 on Wednesday night.
"To be honest, I do feel at home here. We had a great relationship," Colon said through a translator. "I definitely wanted to show my appreciation."
Kemp’s two-out, bases-loaded liner off Rafael Montero (0-1) helped the Braves bounce back from losing on opening day. Jim Johnson (1-0) worked two scoreless innings.
Colon was perhaps the most popular Mets player over the previous three seasons. He led the team in wins, starts and innings last year, then became a free agent, left the pitching-rich Mets and signed with a guaranteed spot in the Braves’ rotation.
The Mets honoured Colon with a pregame montage on the video board, highlighting his pitching, fielding and first career home run last year. Fans cheered as the clips ended with: "Welcome Back Bart."
"How can you not like that guy?" Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Pitching a day after the 20th anniversary of his major league debut, and now just more than a month shy of turning 44, Colon was as nifty as ever. He tossed two-hit ball — including a home run by Jay Bruce — for six innings, striking out six and walking one.
Mets manager Terry Collins had seen this plenty of times. In fact, he was managing the Angels when Colon pitched his first big league game in 1997.
"He is what he is. We sat there in about the fourth inning and we said, ‘Well, this is vintage Bartolo,"’ Collins said.
Jacob deGrom threw six shutout innings for the Mets. The shaggy-haired ace needed surgery last September to reposition a nerve in his pitching elbow. He gave up two hits, struck out six and walked one.
Colon drew a standing ovation when he came to bat in the third, tipping his hat to the announced crowd of 28,113 and pointing to the sky. Earlier, Curtis Granderson nodded toward his former teammate when he hit.
Colon’s performance came after he posted an 8.66 ERA in spring training.
"When the lights come on, it’s a totally different thing," Colon said.
The portly pitcher was playful, as always.
As he walked from the bullpen to the dugout before the game, Colon sneaked up behind a security guard and bounced a ball off the man’s belly, and they both laughed. When Colon grounded out in the sixth, he carried his bat down the line and jogged with it the whole way back to the bench, cracking up deGrom.
"You’ve got to smile at Bart," deGrom said.
HOME ON THE ROAD
Brandon Phillips singled in the 11th, giving him a hit in all 35 road games he’s played against the Mets. It’s the longest road hitting string in the majors by anyone vs. the same opponent since Ducky Medwick’s 46-gamer at Brooklyn from 1933-37.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: Right-handed reliever Mauricio Cabrera (elbow) played catch and should be able to throw off a mound Monday.
Mets: General manager Sandy Alderson said the team is "optimistic" RHP Seth Lugo won’t need surgery for a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow. … LHP Steven Matz, scratched from his last spring start because of a tender elbow, isn’t throwing yet. Alderson said there’s concern because there "doesn’t seem to be a specific injury. A little bit of uncertainty exists."
TEBOW TIME
Tim Tebow makes his regular-season debut as a Mets minor leaguer, starting in left field for the host Columbia Fireflies against Augusta in the Class A South Atlantic League. The former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner hit .148 in spring training.
LET’S PLAY
Snitker took advantage of Tuesday’s day off to see his first Broadway show, "The Book of Mormon." The long-running hit can jar some viewers, but he really liked it. He’s already preparing for an encore when Atlanta returns to New York later this month. "I’d love to see Bette Midler in ‘Hello, Dolly!"’ he said. "I’ve been a fan of hers forever."
UP NEXT
Braves: LHP Jaime Garcia will make his Atlanta debut if the heavy rain in the forecast holds off. He was acquired from St. Louis in the off-season.
Mets: RHP Matt Harvey was 0-4 with a 5.89 ERA in five spring training starts. He didn’t pitch after July 4 last year and later had a rib removed during surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
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