The pitch was a 1-1 fastball, all of 91 mph, and it landed square between the numbers on Ian Desmond’s back.
The Rockies center fielder stopped on his way to first base, staring at Mets reliever Drew Gagnon, as the two exchanged words.
There was reason for Desmond to believe Gagnon had thrown with intent. David Dahl and Daniel Murphy had blown Friday night’s game open in the eighth inning, each belting a line-drive home run to right field and increasing Colorado’s lead to four runs in an eventual 5-1 Mets loss at Citi Field.