PHOENIX - Bartolo Colon had been tossing a gem, in position for what would have been his ninth victory, the most in the major leagues.
The righthander operated with only a one-run cushion, which was all that a depleted Mets lineup could muster on his behalf Saturday night. Until the seventh, he had made it work. But with one transgression, the slim lead evaporated, and the Mets found themselves careening toward a 2-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.
After a night of pinpoint command, Colon left an 85- mph fastball belt high and over the heart of the plate.