New York Mets phenom, Noah Syndergaard put up his biggest performance of the season against the team’s biggest rival. Syndergaard outdueled fellow ace, Max Scherzer in the Mets 2-0 win Tuesday night.
This game was one that many considered to be the biggest of the young season. Riding a four game losing streak they needed their 23 year-old flame thrower to come up big and he did just that. Thor threw seven scoreless innings. He allowed just five hits while striking out 10 and walking zero. This was the first game of the MLB season in which both pitchers recorded 10 strikeouts. It was a great performance from their ace, who never let the pressure get to him.
“I’ve just been able, my entire life, to tune out whatever is going on around me,” Syndergaard said. (ESPN)
Syndergaard improved his record to 4-2 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.19. He has continued to show that he is the pitcher Terry Collins should want on the mound in a big moment. He now has 65 strikeouts in 53.1 innings pitched this season. His WHIP stands at 0.99. Last night’s game was the second time this season he did not allow one walk and the 10th time of his career. Thor has been absolutely brilliant this season.
“I think Noah’s one of those kind of guys,” Collins said. “You see what he did last fall when I put him in a position he’s never been in before. He wasn’t fazed by it and pitched brilliantly. I think he rises to the challenge.”
Bryce Harper has seemed to receive the Barry Bonds treatment as of late, being walked intentionally in many spots. Syndergaard did not shy away from him by any means, sending Harper on his way to an 0-for-3 night against Syndergaard, including two strikeouts. Pitching around Harper never crossed his mind.
“Not at all,” Syndergaard said. “He’s an unbelievable ballplayer, a great athlete. He’s very talented. You can see why a lot of people have been walking him. But I go out there, and I was pitching to my strengths and just went right after him.”
The other big bat in the Nationals lineup, his old friend Daniel Murphy, was able to get one hit against his former teammate. Syndergaard was not too happy with that.
Mets fans: Very cool standing ovation for Murph tonight. Wasn't very cool he got a hit off me though 😠Your friendship card is revoked sir!
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) May 18, 2016
Thor is now 5-0 all time against the NL East in 10 career starts. He owns a 1.68 ERA in those starts, giving up just 12 runs in 64.1 innings pitched. Tuesday also marked the 15th time in his first 32 career starts that he’s struck out at least eight, which is tied for fifth-most among starters since 1913.
