Colon (6-5) set down 18 straight batters and improved

NEW YORK -- It was a great night for the greybeards at Citi Field. Fred Jackson Jersey. Bobby Abreu went 4 for 4 with two RBIs and Bartolo Colon pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning as the New York Mets turned to a pair of 40-somethings to beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 on Friday night. "Representing the 40s. When we go to the field, we throw everything that weve got," Abreu said. "Been playing this game for a long time, so pretty much we know what we have to do." Abreu scored twice in the rain-delayed opener of a three-game series between fourth-place teams struggling to score. Colon (6-5) set down 18 straight batters and improved to 4-0 with a 1.78 ERA in his last five starts, sending the Mets to only their second victory in 10 games. "We needed to have him get deep in the game. It was important for us because we were so short in the pen," manager Terry Collins said. Rene Rivera hit a two-run homer but Andrew Cashner (2-6) failed to hold a rare lead for the Padres, who have dropped five straight and nine of 11. The hard-throwing Cashner, who entered with a 2.13 ERA, has lost five straight decisions. He gave up four runs and eight hits over six innings in his second start since spending more than three weeks on the disabled list with a sore right elbow. Fans were advised to take cover on the concourse during the rain delay because of dangerous weather. Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals between the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings was shown on the big video screen in centre field for most of a delay at the start that lasted 1 hour, 56 minutes. And even after the ballgame began, some in the sparse crowd announced at 28,085 seemed to be paying much more attention to hockey. With the Rangers trying to stave off elimination again, an audible groan went up in the seventh inning -- just as New York defenceman Ryan McDonagh hit the post with a shot in overtime. After the final out, some fans lingered near TVs inside the ballpark to keep watching. In the end, the Rangers lost in double overtime. The 41-year-old Colon had uncharacteristic trouble with his command at the start. He walked his first batter and gave up Yonder Alonsos leadoff single in the second before Rivera connected for his fourth home run. "I got a little mad. I was meaning to throw that pitch outside and I just went in a little too much so that really got me fired up," Colon said through a translator. "I think it was just a matter of getting through the first two innings. After that I got really comfortable, found my zone and kept going from there." The home run gave Cashner an uncommon 2-0 lead -- the Padres had scored only once in his previous 33 innings. Colon, however, quickly regrouped and retired his next 18 batters until Alexi Amarista opened the eighth with a double. "Ive known Bart for a long time and at times, youll see him get stronger as the game goes on. I think you saw that tonight," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He held his velocity throughout the game, even into the eighth inning." After throwing a called third strike past pinch-hitter Tommy Medica with his 118th pitch, Colon was lifted. He walked off the mound to a warm hand and softly clapped his hands. Vic Black retired cleanup man Carlos Quentin with the bases loaded to end the inning. Batting fourth in place of Curtis Granderson (calf), the 40-year-old Abreu hit a leadoff double in the second and scored on Taylor Teagardens two-out single. "Anytime they need me there, Im always going to be ready to play the game," Abreu said. He singled in the fourth and Lucas Duda tied it 2-all on a two-out double just beyond the reach of diving centre fielder Will Venable. Matt den Dekker blooped a ground-rule double that put New York ahead. "Couldnt stop the two-out hits," Cashner said. Abreu added RBI singles in the fifth and seventh. Slumping star David Wright had a long sacrifice fly in the seventh. It was the first four-hit game for Abreu, who did not play in the majors last season, since May 30, 2011, with the Angels at Kansas City. "I made two good pitches to him," Cashner said. "Hes a good hitter, a professional hitter. Couldnt get him out." NOTES: Padres RHP Jesse Hahn will be recalled from Double-A San Antonio to make his second major league start Saturday. Hahn was a high school teammate of injured Mets ace Matt Harvey in Groton, Connecticut, about a 2-hour drive from Citi Field, and expects to have family and friends in the stands. ... Granderson was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive night and might sit out again Saturday, Collins said. ... Mets LF Eric Young Jr. (strained right hamstring) had his rehab assignment moved to Double-A Binghamton, and the team hopes hell be ready to return at the end of the weekend. ... Mets closer Jenrry Mejia (stiff back) had an MRI and was given medication. "They said itll probably be a day or so before hes going to be available," Collins said. Sammy Watkins Jersey. -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Robert Woods Bills Jersey. -- One of the byproducts of quarterback Matt McGloins rise to the top of Oaklands depth chart last week was the production of rookie tight end Mychal Rivera.WASHINGTON -- Dirk Nowitzki is the 13th-leading scorer in NBA history. On Wednesday night, in his words, he was reduced to "an expensive decoy." Nowitzki was held to a season-low nine points, and missed 11 of 14 shots from the field, but the Dallas Mavericks still beat the Washington Wizards 87-78. Monta Ellis scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half and Vince Carter had 13 as the Mavericks won despite equaling their season low in points. "It was an ugly game. I think we set the NBA back a couple years today," Nowitzki said. He rolled his left ankle in the games first minute, for "probably the 200th time in my career," Nowitzki said. "It was obvious that I wasnt moving well. I didnt get any elevation on my jumper." The key to the game was Dallas holding Washington scoreless for more than 4 minutes late in the game. The Wizards led 74-70 with 4:58 to play, but the Mavericks scored nine straight points on a 3-pointer by Carter, a hook shoot by Brandan Wright, two free throws by Carter and a jumper by Ellis to give Dallas a 79-74 lead with 2:14 to play. Washington didnt score again until John Wall, who led the Wizards with 22 points, made two free throws with 46 seconds to play. The Mavericks won despite shooting just 38.5 per cent, but they held Washington to 37.5 per cent. "It was a beautiful game," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle laughed. "It was such a competitive game, up and down the stretch, whoever won was going to be the survivor." Trevor Booker had 10 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for Washington. "We wasted a good defensive effort," coach Randy Wittman said. It was Dallas fourth straight win on the road and their eighth straight over the Wizards (14-15), who failed in their attempt to rise above .500 for the first time since Oct. 31, 2009. It was the second time this season Washington failed to get over the .500 mark. "Its a great opportunity in front of us, and we continue to get there and we just lay an egg in the next game," Wizards guard Bradley Beal said. Beal, who shott 4 for 13, was pleased that Washington thwarted Nowitzki. Colton Schmidt Bills Jersey "Whenever you can hold a great scorer like that down to a minimum, you always love your chances," Beal said. Ellis, who signed with the Mavericks as a free agent last summer, was a career 77 per cent free throw shooter. This season, hes boosted his percentage to 83, and on Wednesday made 9 of 10. "I thought tonight was Monta Ellis best game with us. He had such great command of the game offensively. He was under control, he was finding people," Carlisle said. Ellis hit all six of his free throws in the fourth quarter. "I want to get better, for that opportunity down the stretch to make those free throws, because I know theyre going to put the ball in my hands," Ellis said. In its last game, Dallas escaped with a win at Minnesota on Monday. On Tuesday, the NBA released a statement saying that the Timberwolves Kevin Love should have been awarded two free throws late in a two-point Mavericks win. Shawn Marion should have been assessed a foul, the NBA said. The Mavericks finished the first quarter Wednesday on a 15-5 run to take a 25-20 lead. Washington went on a 9-0 run to take a 36-35 lead with 3:48 to play in the first half. The Wizards led 42-39 at halftime. The Wizards led through nearly the entire third quarter, surrendering the lead briefly on a 9-0 Dallas run, but led 61-59 after three. Wall, who had seven rebounds and five assists, but tied a season high with seven turnovers, left the court with about 3 minutes to play in the first quarter. His left eye was cut and after the game he continued to wear a bandage. Wall said he was elbowed in the eye in a scrum, but wasnt sure who hit him. "I just know there was four of us down there," Wall said. NOTES: Carlisle declined comment on the NBAs statement about Mondays game. ... Washington swingman Glen Rice, who had surgery on his right wrist last month, had the sutures removed from it Tuesday, Wittman said. ... This was the second consecutive year the Mavericks and Wizards played on New Years Day in Washington. ' ' '