After dropping the first two games of the series, Noah Syndergaard and the New York Mets avoided being swept by the Miami Marlins.
- New York Mets 5 (3-3)
- Miami Marlins 2 (3-3)
- WP: Noah Syndergaard (1-0)
- LP: Edinson Volquez (0-1)
- S: Addison Reed (1)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Citi Field, Queens, New York
Power-pitching and home run-hitting have been the winning formula for the Mets, and that was on display tonight.
Seemed too easy
Tonight’s matchup couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for the Mets.
After a dominant first inning from Syndy, the Mets managed to scrape three runs together in the bottom half of the opening frame. It appeared as though they were going to be able to cruise to victory, but it wouldn’t be a Mets game unless they gave their fans a scare — or eleven.
A heads-up bunt to beat the shift by Asdrubal Cabrera sparked that first for the Amazins’. After a Yoenis Cespedes single, Jay Bruce put the bat on the ball and the Marlins threw it to the backstop, resulting in a run. Neil Walker and Michael Conforto both drove in a run, with a base hit and a walk, respectively.
Oh, Yo
After striking out the side in the second inning, things began to get dicey for Thor and the Mets.
Following a lead-off double, Cespedes was unable to field a line drive to left-center field, as the ball bounced right off his glove, starting a rally for Miami.
This error led to a two-run third inning for the Marlins, but very well could have been more if not for two rockets from the cannon of catcher Rene Rivera to gun down two potential base-stealers.
Insurance Runs
In consecutive innings, Bruce and Conforto — yes, both — took Volquez deep to extend the Mets lead to 5-2.
Besides the second inning, the only real trouble the Mets were in was in the top half of the fifth, although Syndergaard was able to fan Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon on a 3-2 fastball with two runners in scoring position.
Syndergaard Shines
Thor absolutely smashed his hammer over and through the Marlins’ lineup tonight. Syndergaard’s stat-line was impeccable yet again: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 9 K, 0 BB.
Everything about Syndy’s start tonight was positive. His velocity, command, pitch selection and even his bat were all on point all night.
Syndergaard topped out at 101 mph on his fastball, while mixing it with a 93 mph slider, making life completely unfair for the Marlins’ bats in the process. Syndergaard continues to show why his name belongs in the same sentence as LA Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Perhaps the biggest flaw in Syndergaard’s game is the amount of stolen bags he allows. Much of last season, it seemed as though every time someone reached first, they stole second without an issue.
Tonight, the tag-team of Thor and Rivera were 2-2 on throwing runners out.
In two starts this season, Syndergaard stat-line is looking sharp: 13 IP, 10 H, 1 ER, 17 K, and zero walks. Flat out dominance.
Bullpen Makes a Comeback
Righty Fernando Salas pitched a perfect eighth inning for the Mets, setting up Reed, who also threw a perfect frame, and locked down his first save of the season for the Metsies.
Incumbent closer Jeurys Familia is eligible to return April 20, and upon his return Reed will by all likelihood slide back into his setup role, where he thrived in Queens last season.