Television cameras crammed into the Rockies’ dugout Friday afternoon and manager Walt Weiss barely had a spot to sit. The Denver and New York media swarmed in to soak up the Jose Reyes mess.
The commissioner couldn’t have suspended him two days ago when the Arizona Diamondbacks were in town and the hive was more like a dull drone?
“My thoughts exactly,” Weiss said.
On a strange day at Coors Field, the Rockies moved forward in more ways than one. Reyes’ case is finally closed. He is suspended through May 31. And by the end of the night, two Colorado rookies already stole back the spotlight.
Right-hander Jon Gray pitched seven excellent innings for his first career victory and shortstop Trevor Story doubled twice as the Rockies ran past the defending National League champion Mets 5-2 on a chilly night in LoDo.
“I felt on top of the world,” Gray said. “I was overwhelmed with emotion. But, man, it took the tiredness away, because I was a little tired.”
Gray, who entered with a career 0-3 record and 10 no decisions, threw a career-high 105 pitches to finally earn a win. In his last three games, Gray has allowed just four runs in 20 innings (1.80 ERA), with 24 strikeouts and four walks.
Using a fastball that topped out at 98 mph and a slider that sank like an anchor, he struck out eight and walked just one.
“His fastball has been electric,” Weiss said. “The kid is growing up quick.”
Gray struck out the side in the first inning, sitting down Curtis Granderson, David Wright and Michael Conforto. And he struck out Alejandro De Aza and Granderson to end the seventh.
“It was pure emotion,” Gray said. “Just a really good vibe.”
The Mets scored their runs on a two-run double by Kevin Plawecki in the second, after a walk and a hit by pitch.
Gray, too, hit a chopper up the middle in the fifth for his first career hit. And after Charlie Blackmon bunted for a hit, Gray scrambled home on Story’s double to left field.
Story also doubled to left in the third inning. And when he came to bat in the sixth, Mets reliever Jerry Blevins walked him intentionally to face Carlos Gonzalez instead.
Story is hitting that well — a .275 average and 11 home runs. It was Story’s first career intentional walk.
“He passed all the tests, emotional and mental,” Weiss said of Story. “The kid has been unflappable. He’s handled it all.”
Trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning, Gerardo Parra tripled to score Nolan Arenado, then Mark Reynolds scored him with a single. And when Tony Wolters singled to push DJ LeMahieu around the turn in the sixth, Gray ran to the plate. He directed LeMahieu to slide wide to avoid Conforto’s relay throw home. He was safe.
Blackmon finished 3-for-4 at the plate and Jake McGee pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save.
Reyes was a Mets fan favorite in nine New York seasons. But he has been a mercenary since then, playing with the Marlins, Blue Jays and Rockies. He may never play for Colorado again — he is eligible to start a minor-league rehab assignment June 1, but there’s no certainty the Rockies want him back.
With Story, Reyes’ replacement at shortstop, and Gray, who has 36 strikeouts in five games, the Rockies — who won their 1,000th game in Colorado — seem in good hands.
“I just treated it like a normal day,” Story said. “Just get my work in.”
Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or @nickgroke
