Mets' Bartolo Colon: Throws seven excellent innings in win over Cardinals

Colon (9-5) allowed just one run on three hits and struck out eight through seven innings in a win Tuesday over the Cardinals.

Analysis:

Not only did Colon toss a gem, he managed to escape with only 87 pitches thrown, which could be critical given his next start Saturday against the Rockies will come on just three days rest. Colon was ultra efficient, as he tossed 65 strikes out of those 87 pitches. He simply pounded the zone -- he needed just seven swinging strikes to generate his eight strikeouts, which is sometimes how it has to be done with a fastball like Colon's (just 87.8 mph on average).