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          New York Mets

          Colon proves painful for Mariners

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterJul 23, 2014, 08:12 PM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          SEATTLE -- Bartolo Colon came within seven outs of succeeding a 40-year-old Randy Johnson as the oldest pitcher in major league history to toss a perfect game. Yet Colon insisted through an interpreter that he successfully kept the potential feat out of his mind as he flirted with history Wednesday.

          “I knew it was going on, but in the seventh or eighth inning you can’t really think about it,” Colon said through an interpreter. “Once you get to the ninth inning, then you think about that.”

          Bartolo Colon

          Bartolo Colon

          #40 SP
          New York Mets

          2014 STATS

          • GM20

          • W9

          • L8

          • BB19

          • K100

          • ERA4.03

          Robinson Cano eventually delivered a two-out single to left field in the seventh to end the bid. The Mets held on for a 3-2 win against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

          Colon’s final line: 7.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

          “You’re a little disappointed when they get a hit, but that’s what they’re trying to do,” the 41-year-old Colon said. “They’re trying to break up the no-hitter.”

          Said Terry Collins: “There’s no doubt in my mind that if he got by Cano he ramps it up.”

          Catcher Anthony Recker said Colon dominated the Mariners despite pretty much just using fastballs of the four-seam and two-seam variety.

          “He was awesome today,” Recker said. “He had great command of his fastball. In fact, he didn’t even really use his offspeed all that much.”

          Said Collins about Colon having no-hit stuff: “Today you just sensed it in the first inning. You just sensed it. He went out there in the first inning and the second hitter you’re saying, ‘He’s on today.’ I saw some funny swings from good hitters.”

          Colon, meanwhile, is available in trade talks. He suggested that is beyond his control. He is owed $11 million next season, which figures to be an impediment to moving him. It also figures to mean he can be traded in August, too -- after the non-waiver trade deadline in eight days.

          “I don’t know anything about that,” Colon said. “Those are decisions for the upper management. I can’t control that stuff.”