The Colorado Rockies have waited more than 14 months for German Marquez to return from Tommy John surgery. On Sunday afternoon, he'll get an immediate opportunity to re-establish himself as the Rockies' stopper when Colorado tries to avoid being swept by the host New York Mets in the finale of a three-game series. The right-handed Marquez is slated to oppose Mets left-hander Jose Quintana (4-5, 3.91 ERA). The Mets won their fifth straight game Saturday as Jeff McNeil's two-run double capped a four-run second inning in a 7-3 victory. Marquez will be on a pitch count Sunday in his first major league start since April 26, 2023, 16 days before he underwent Tommy John surgery. But the return of one of the best pitchers in Rockies history -- Marquez ranks among Colorado's all-time top five in wins, ERA and innings pitched and is two strikeouts away from tying Jorge De La Rosa for the franchise lead -- should immediately bolster a rotation that is enduring some familiar troubles. The Mets sent nine batters to the plate in the second inning Saturday against Ryan Feltner, who became the second Rockies starter in as many nights to struggle against the hottest team in the majors. Feltner gave up four runs (three earned) in 3 2/3 innings, less than 24 hours after rookie Tanner Gordon allowed six runs in three-plus innings. The Rockies have a 5.61 team ERA and are on pace to finish last in the National League in ERA for the third straight season and the fifth time in the last six seasons. "Anytime you bring a guy back into the fold who has his presence -- he's a team guy first, he cares about each and every player," Rockies manager Bud Black said Friday afternoon. "He's a great competitor, he loves this organization. He's that type of guy you feel good when you're around him." The Mets have been feeling good far more often than not over the last six weeks. With Saturday's win, New York improved to 27-12 since May 29, which is the best record in baseball in that span. The Mets, who were in 13th place in the NL through May 29, enter Sunday in a wild-card spot and just three games behind the Atlanta Braves in the race for the first wild card. Francisco Lindor's three-run homer in the eighth inning Saturday allowed the Mets to score at least five runs for the 27th time since May 29. New York scored five or more runs just 22 times in its first 55 games. "We all have a sense of urgency," Lindor said. "We're back in a good way, so we've got to ride it out as long as we can and try to finish the first half as strong as we can." Marquez went 0-4 with a 7.11 ERA in seven rehab appearances. He is 4-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets, including 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA in three starts at Citi Field. Quintana earned the win last Tuesday when he allowed just one hit over seven scoreless innings in the Mets' 7-5 victory over the Washington Nationals. He is 3-3 with a 5.09 ERA in nine games (eight starts) against the Rockies. --Field Level Media
Apr 26, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez (48) crouches on the mound before leaving the game during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports