NEW YORK -- The Mets understand more than anyone that really, truly playing meaningful games in September remains far from realistic. Though they entered Wednesday's play a tantalizing 5.5 games out of a National League Wild Card spot, they trailed five separate teams in that race. The most popular mathematical projection systems gave them less than one percent chance to play in October. 
But until the scientists tell them they're really, truly, seriously out of this thing, the Mets will continue revving forward with all the vigor they can spare. Rookie starter Rafael Montero gave them another nudge in that direction Wednesday night, delivering 5 1/3 shutout innings in a 2-0 win over the Rockies at Citi Field.With 16 games remaining on their schedule, the Mets stayed within shouting distance of their pipe dream for at least one more day.It was Montero, in his brief return to the rotation, who set the tone. Keeping the Rockies hitless until the fifth inning, Montero walked four batters but struck out seven, relying on his low-90s fastball, mid-80s changeup and low-80s slider. After the Rockies started timing his arsenal, rapping out a pair of hits to open the sixth, Montero was at 106 pitches and out of the game.The Mets plan to move Montero to the bullpen to finish out this season, but could first give him one additional start.Though offense continued to come slowly for the Mets, Montero and a quartet of relievers ensured that they wouldn't need much of it. Eric Young, Jr. was first to break through against Rockies starter Tyler Matzek, tripling a ball off center fielder Drew Stubbs' glove to plate a run in the second. Five innings later, moments after Matzek left the game, Juan Lagares lofted a sacrifice fly deep enough to double the margin.The win moved the Mets to within four games of .500 for the first time in more than a month.Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
But until the scientists tell them they're really, truly, seriously out of this thing, the Mets will continue revving forward with all the vigor they can spare. Rookie starter Rafael Montero gave them another nudge in that direction Wednesday night, delivering 5 1/3 shutout innings in a 2-0 win over the Rockies at Citi Field.With 16 games remaining on their schedule, the Mets stayed within shouting distance of their pipe dream for at least one more day.It was Montero, in his brief return to the rotation, who set the tone. Keeping the Rockies hitless until the fifth inning, Montero walked four batters but struck out seven, relying on his low-90s fastball, mid-80s changeup and low-80s slider. After the Rockies started timing his arsenal, rapping out a pair of hits to open the sixth, Montero was at 106 pitches and out of the game.The Mets plan to move Montero to the bullpen to finish out this season, but could first give him one additional start.Though offense continued to come slowly for the Mets, Montero and a quartet of relievers ensured that they wouldn't need much of it. Eric Young, Jr. was first to break through against Rockies starter Tyler Matzek, tripling a ball off center fielder Drew Stubbs' glove to plate a run in the second. Five innings later, moments after Matzek left the game, Juan Lagares lofted a sacrifice fly deep enough to double the margin.The win moved the Mets to within four games of .500 for the first time in more than a month.Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
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