RECAP: @Noahsyndergaard fans 12 over 7 IP as #Mets fall to Marlins. https://t.co/Um9LTbTqVn pic.twitter.com/l99jSHeCc1
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 13, 2016
Not even an electric Noah Syndergaard could halt the New York Mets’ losing streak from reaching four games.
- New York Mets 1 (2-5)
- Miami Marlins 2 (3-3)
- MLB, Final, Box Score
- Citi Field, Flushing, New York
Let’s be honest, the beginning of the 2016 MLB season has not exactly gone how the New York Mets, and their fans, expected.
Despite another performance of pure domination from Noah Syndergaard, New York fell to the Marlins 2-1 in the second game of the series.
The Mets scored three runs or fewer for the sixth time in seven games this year and it appears humanity has a better chance of discovering its first unicorn before the Mets deliver an offensive outburst.
It’s as if New York’s opponent’s have pulled some ‘Monstars’ magic, stealing talents away from the likes of Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud, to name a few.
Better yet, this first week feels like the entire first two months of the 2015 season, when John Mayberry Jr. and Eric Campbell manned the three-spot and cleanup spot in the lineup.
Seriously, the Mets have mustered just six runs and 20 hits during their current four-game losing streak. That’s not going to cut it. Especially when your pitcher goes seven strong innings while allowing just one run.
Offensive Woes:
Coming into the game, the Mets were batting .180, good for dead last in all of major league baseball.
Leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson and d’Arnaud, two key components to the lineup, came in a combined 2-for-39 on the season. Granderson was hitless in 20 straight at-bats.
From the onset, it appeared the Mets were turning a corner.
Grandy hit a double to right, to get things started. It was his first XBH of the season. After a David Wright walk, Lucas Duda singled to give the Mets the first of hopefully many 1st-inning runs of 2016.
After two innings of work, the Mets three hits off Marlins’ ace Jose Fernandez were tied for the most they’ve ever gotten off of him in a game (five games).
In all fairness, the Mets frigid bats haven’t been helped by an assortment of unlucky situations.
At one point, Yoenis Cespedes pulled a ball down the left-field line a country mile, or so it appeared. Thanks to the wind heading into Citi Field at 10+ mph from left, the ball that looked destined for the upper-deck, landed in the glove of Christian Yelich, sitting on the warning track.
Left field is dead. Literally dead. #RIPballs
— TODD FRAZIER, FROM TOM’S RIVER NEW JERSEY (@surfingthemets) April 13, 2016
Cespedes, by the way, looks great, despite his .269 average. It’s clear his tendency to rip a baseball directly to the other team isn’t sustainable.
While New York is gradually improving its consistency to make solid contact, the lack of situational hitting is devastating.
Hammer Time:
Thor was a god amongst men on Tuesday.
In a game the Mets needed their 23-year-old phenom to go at least 7 innings, he delivered and then some.
Taking the mound to the theme song of the movie, “Halloween,” Syndergaard came out slashing Marlins with a 100 mph fastball here, and a 92-93 mph slider there.
After firing six scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals last Tuesday in his season debut, Thor cranked his game up another notch. He was dynamic.
Syndergaard began by striking out 6 of the first 7 Marlins batters who stepped to the plate. He struck out the side in both the 2nd and 5th innings. The man-child finished the game whiffing a total of 12 batters.
Syndergaard now has 21 strikeouts in his first 13 innings of work in 2016, good for a 0.69 ERA. Not to mention, the man delivered only one walk throughout the game, his first of the season.
In classic Mets fashion, the team rewarded his beautiful pitching performance with a no-decision, so, his record remains at 1-0. His final line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 12 Ks on 99 pitches.
The more Thor pitches, the more fans wonder whether he’s going to be the best of a talented pitching staff.
Noah Syndergaard's 21 Ks are tied with Pedro Martinez and Dwight Gooden for most through 2 outings to start a season in #Mets history.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) April 13, 2016
Murphy Madness:
Coming into today’s game, Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy was tied with the entirety of his former employer’s roster with 2 HRs on the season.
By game’s end, they are still tied.
Tragically, Murphy continues to prove his playoff-power surge was no joke. Through 20 at-bats in Washington, he’s hitting .500 with 2 HR, 7 RBI, and 5 BB, compared to just 5 Ks.
Smith reaches on FC as grounds back to Gio, who gets lead runner, but Murphy loses ball on transfer. Smith probably too fast for DP anyway.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) April 13, 2016
But, still, #LOLMURPH.
New Prospects:
Twenty years down the road, you’ll be hearing the name “Jaxon Anthony deGrom” called to the mound at Citi Field. At least, we can hope.
According to SNY’s Keith Hernandez, “That’s a big-league name.”
Per ESPN’s Adam Rubin, Jacob’s son was born at 9:23 p.m. on Monday. The new deGrominator weighs seven pounds, 12 ounces.
Tweet of the Night:
Good thing Syndergaard is awesome now that Matt Harvey and Steven Matz both suck and Jacob deGrom has a broken back.
— It's me, the Green Man. (@sschreiber13) April 13, 2016
What’s Next:
The Mets wrap up their six-game home stand, Wednesday. Logan Verrett is set to make a spot-start, in place of Jacob deGrom, opposite the Marlin’s Adam Conley.
Last year, Conley posted a 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings against the Mets, which is terrible news for everyone praying their Metropolitans snap out of this dreadful funk.
The genius that is Manager Terry Collins will showcase his team’s ‘lefty lineup’ for the first time this year. That means rookie Michael Conforto will likely be on the bench to pave the way for a Juan Lagares start.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm ET. You can catch the game on MLBN, SNY, and FSFL.
