SAN DIEGO — Three years ago to the day, Mets Manager Terry Collins had been a nervous wreck, watching Johan Santana push past his pitch count. Santana, the Mets’ prized ace, was still working his way back from shoulder surgery, but he refused to leave the mound, and that night at Citi Field, he threw the first no-hitter in franchise history.
Collins had been tortured by the memory ever since. Santana was never the same.
Collins must have had flashbacks Monday, at Petco Park, as Jacob deGrom carried a perfect game into the sixth inning.