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Mets-Rockies Preview

Jacob deGrom's expectations for himself have risen to the point that he's getting down on himself for an outing other starters would celebrate.

He shouldn't have any issues with how he's pitched against the Colorado Rockies.

The right-hander looks to help the New York Mets avoid a three-game sweep in Colorado on Sunday.

DeGrom (3-1, 2.12 ERA) had his longest outing of the season Tuesday, giving up two runs in seven innings before getting a no-decision in the Mets' 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the fourth time in five starts he's allowed fewer than three runs, but he still wasn't happy with his performance.

"My stuff was kind of flat in the zone," deGrom said. "You are out there giving 100 percent and give up eight hits and seems like every inning you got a guy on and most innings guys were in scoring position it felt like."

DeGrom shouldn't have any problems with how he's performed against the Rockies. He's given up five hits while striking out 19 in 15 scoreless innings over two starts - both victories.

The Mets (21-15) are concluding a long road trip during which they've gone 4-6. They fell 7-4 on Saturday despite finishing with 13 hits, their most since having a season-high 15 on April 23. Neil Walker had three of them, including a solo homer.

David Wright went 2 for 4, but manager Terry Collins said Wright likely will sit out this one for rest. The rest of the Mets will try to get to Tyler Chatwood, who has had plenty of struggles at home.

Chatwood (4-3, 3.09) has a 0.33 ERA while winning each of his four road starts, but he has a 7.88 ERA in three outings at Coors Field. In his latest home flop, he allowed six runs and walked three in six innings of Monday's 10-5 loss to Arizona.

The right-hander gave up two more homers, making it five at home compared to none on the road.

"I don't think I'm throwing bad at home," Chatwood said. "Giving up home runs is the only difference. The walks were ones that hurt the most."

Home runs have been tough to come by for Carlos Gonzalez, who hit 40 last year but has only four this season - the last coming April 24. Manager Walt Weiss dropped Gonzalez from third in the batting order to fifth, but Gonzalez still went hitless in four at-bats and is 0 for 13 over his last four.

"I think he's putting a lot of pressure on himself being in that three hole and he's struggling right now," Weiss said. "And I know he's wearing it. He's grinding right now."

Charlie Blackmon is hitting .395 during an 11-game hitting streak that's one short of his career high for Colorado, which has won three straight at home after losing its previous seven there.