Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon ends historic drought with 1st walk
— -- PHOENIX -- Bartolo Colon is having a big season at the plate.
First, that unforgettable home run, and now -- at last -- a walk.
The 43-year-old New York Mets pitcher drew the first base on balls of his career Monday night against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray. It came in Colon's 282nd plate appearance over 19 major league seasons.
No other player in big league history had appeared at the plate that many times without a walk, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
With a full count in the fourth inning, Colon took a high fastball from Ray and strolled to first base.
"That surprised me as well. I don't know why that pitcher didn't strike me out. He could have. I really couldn't do much more at that point," Colon said through a translator, citing a sore left wrist.
The right-hander lasted four innings and left trailing 5-2. The Mets went on to lose 10-6.
Back on May 7, Colon was 17 days shy of his 43rd birthday when he connected for a stunning drive off James Shields in San Diego, becoming the oldest player to hit his first major league home run.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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