NEW YORK -- The Colorado Rockies are beginning to believe they are moving toward the cusp of playoff contention. The New York Mets are starting to run out of time to prove they are a legitimate threat to defend their National League pennant.Two teams at the opposite ends of the emotional spectrum will meet Thursday afternoon when the Mets host the Rockies in the opener of a four-game series at Citi Field.The Rockies posted their sixth win in seven games on Wednesday, when Nick Hundley and David Dahl hit a two-run homer and a solo shot, respectively, in the sixth inning of a 3-1 victory over the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles.The Rockies outscored the Orioles 11-6 during the three-game series. Colorados starting pitchers recorded a 1.86 ERA against Baltimore, which ranks fifth in the American League with 478 runs scored.You look at the series overall, its one of our best series of the year, Rockies manager Walt Weiss aid. Its got to be up there. We got real good starting pitching this series and we had some really clutch hits. Thats what it takes.With nine wins in 13 games since the All-Star break, the Rockies have improved to 49-52 and moved within six games of the Miami Marlins for the second wild card spot in the National League.Thats the type of winning consistency the Mets would like to establish. But theyve been unable to establish any sort of consistency: New York has alternated wins with losses in each of its 12 games after the All-Star break.The Mets appeared ready to finally win a second straight game Wednesday, but closer Jeurys Familia blew a regular-season save opportunity for the first time in almost a year by allowing two runs in the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field.Familia had converted 52 straight saves dating to Aug. 1, 2015, though he did blow three saves in the World Series.Its baseball and until the 27th out, you dont know any results, said Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes, who gave New York a 4-3 lead with a long two-run homer in the seventh inning. We have a lot of faith in Familia. But things unfortunately didnt work out.The loss dropped the Mets (53-47) 1 1/2 games behind the Marlins and 5 1/2 games behind the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.This is something we havent had happen in quite some time, Jeurys Familia not saving the game, Mets manager Terry Collins said. But youve got to come back early. Youve got an early day (Thursday) and weve got to get ready to play.The Rockies will also be working on short rest after traveling overnight from Baltimore.Its basically like we have a split doubleheader, Weiss said. Thats how Im looking at it.Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom is scheduled to oppose Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson. DeGrom took the loss in his most recent start last Saturday when he gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings as the Mets fell to the Marlins 7-2. Anderson posted his third straight win on Saturday when he gave up three runs in six innings as the Rockies beat the Atlanta Braves 8-4.Brusdar Graterol Twins Jersey .ca. 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Samuel Deduno (6-4) allowed two runs, four hits and five walks over seven innings while striking out five on the anniversary of his first big league victory. The 30-year-old right-hander faced a lineup missing cleanup hitter Josh Hamilton because of stiffness in his right ankle. Casey Fien gave up two hits in the eighth and was replaced by All-Star closer Glen Perkins. Pinch-hitter Collin Cowgill greeted the left-hander with an RBI single, and Iannetta drove the next pitch on a high arc toward the left-field fence, where Thomas made a leaping grab. Perkins escaped with his 24th save in 26 chances, extending his scoreless streak to 19 1-3 innings after striking out Albert Pujols and Howie Kendrick in the ninth with two on. The Twins began a seven-game road trip with their fifth victory in six games, following a 1-12 slide that increased their deficit in the AL Central from six to 12 1/2 games. They trail division-leading Detroit by 11. Blanton (2-13) threw 90 pitches in 3 2-3 innings, giving up four runs and nine hits. The beleaguered right-hander, who has allowed a major league-worst 157 hits, is 0-5 with a 5.46 ERA in 10 starts at Angel Stadium after signing a two-year, $15 million contract in December as a free agent. His only victories have come against the Royals and Astros, who are a combined 38 games under .500. The Twins grabbed a 4-2 lead with a pair of fourth-inning runs. Thomas put them ahead with his fourth homer and the 24th allowed by Blanton, who leads the majors in that department. Left fielder J.B. Shuck threw out Aaron Hicks at the plate as he tried to score from second on Brian Doziers single,, but Doug Bernier doubled on the next pitch for his first major league hit, driving in Dozier.dddddddddddd Bernier, the Twins 33-year-old shortstop, was playing in his fourth big league game and making his first start in the majors since June 19, 2008, with Colorado. He was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on July 14, more than 11 years after signing his first professional contract. The Angels opened the scoring in the first inning without the benefit of a hit. Deduno walked his first two batters, both advanced on a hit-and-run groundout by Pujols, and Howie Kendrick drove in Shuck with a sacrifice fly. Minnesota took a 2-1 lead in the second on two-out RBI doubles by Thomas and Hicks, the eighth and ninth hitters, but the Angels tied it in the third with an RBI single by Mike Trout that extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games. NOTES: Blanton, pitching for the first time since his angry dugout confrontation with Iannetta and pitching coach Mike Butcher during a 4-3 loss in Seattle on July 14, had Hank Conger as his batterymate this time. "Hank works pretty good with Joe right now, and we have to do everything we can do to get Joe on board," manager Mike Scioscia said before the game. ... In Blantons five starts with Conger behind the plate, he is 0-3 with a 4.97 ERA and seven home runs allowed. In his 15 starts with Iannetta flashing the signs, Blanton is 2-10 with a 5.90 ERA and 17 homers allowed. ... Hamilton was the only player on the Angels roster who had faced Deduno before Monday. ... The Angels wasted a leadoff triple in the seventh by Conger, as Deduno struck out Erick Aybar and Shuck before retiring Trout on a grounder. ... The Twins have given up 81 runs in the first inning, more than they have in any other. ... Minnesotas relievers have struck out 287 batters in 332 innings, 12 more than the starters have fanned in 522 1-3 innings. ' ' '