"The Smiths" spark Rockies to Mets rout
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DENVER, Colorado (Reuters) - Colorado's Greg Smith put a nightmare period behind him with his first win in 19 months as the Rockies roughed up the New York Mets 11-3 on Tuesday.
Outfielder Seth Smith went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and anchored the offense with a two-run homer in the third where the Rockies (4-3) scored six times to roar into an 8-0 lead.
Colorado starter Greg Smith earned his first win since 2008 by striking out eight batters and allowing just two runs in seven innings for his first victory in a Rockies uniform.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 26-year-old missed all of last season with shoulder and back injuries and lost his first start of the year against the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Greg Smith is a couple of pitches away from us raving about two tremendous starts that he's had up to this point," manager Jim Tracy told MLB.com.
"Tonight he was obviously much better than he was in Milwaukee."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Smith added the first two RBIs of his career at the plate including one in the seventh as the Rockies tacked on three more runs in the inning.
"The way it unfolded was what we were expecting," said Smith. "You have a plan, but you're also facing a big league hitter who is going to make adjustments.
"I'm not saying they didn't tonight. But that's the way it played out tonight."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York third baseman David Wright finished 2-for-2 and homered but the Mets (2-5) continued their struggles with a third straight loss as they opened a six-game road trip.
John Maine started for New York and was roughed up for eight runs in three innings. The tall right-hander allowed all six runs with two outs in the third.
"I very rarely pitch like this. It's hard, I just can't put it together," said Maine, who has battled shoulder issues the past two years.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I don't have pain but the shoulder is cranky. I have to adjust to that."
The Rockies won their second straight despite being without outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who injured his hamstring against the San Diego Padres last weekend.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Alastair Himmer)