Noah Syndergaard flirted with history in a masterful performance Tuesday as the Mets (52-48) cruised to a 4-0 victory over the San Diego Padres (47-53) at Citi Field.
Tonight was by far the best performance of Thor’s young career; he had everything working for them and the Padres couldn’t get anything going. Syndergaard took a perfect game into the seventh inning in the victory; the bid ending on a leadoff single by future Met Will Venable. Yangervis Solarte would follow with a single as well, setting up a first-and-third situation with nobody out. After Matt Kemp popped up to second, Syndergaard got Justin Upton to ground into the 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. Syndergaard would complete eight shutout innings, surrendering just three hits while walking none and striking out nine, earning his fifth win of the season.
Lucas Duda put the Mets ahead for good in the top of the first inning with a deep, two-run shot to dead center to make it a 2-0 ballgame. Duda’s home run, his 15th of the season, was measured at 462 feet; the longest homer ever by a Mets player at Citi Field according to ESPN Stats & Info. For Duda, it was his third home run in as many games, leading many to believe the Mets cleanup hitter may finally be getting his stride back.
In the eighth, Curtis Granderson also ripped a two-run homer, also for his 15th on the season, adding some insurance headed into the ninth. It was just the second home run for Granderson in the month of July.
Newly acquired Met Tyler Clippard came on to pitch the ninth to make his debut in Flushing. Clippard surrendering a leadoff double to Abraham Almonte but pitched a scoreless frame to close the door on the Padres and secure their 52nd victory on the season.
With the win and the Nationals falling to the Marlins 4-1, the Mets move within one game of first place in the National League East.
Bartolo Colon will get the ball Wednesday, squaring off against Tyson Ross in the second game of the Padres series, looking to secure a series victory. First pitch at Citi Field is scheduled at 7:10pm.
