Reportedly, Noah Syndergaard promised his dad a win on Wednesday for his birthday, and like a dutiful and appreciative son he gave his father all that and more.
On the mound, Syndergaard was absolutely filthy, blending his 100 mph heat with a jaw-dropping curve and knee-buckling sinker that left the Phillies lineup stunned, helpless, and impotent.
Easily the best start of his young career, Syndergaard delivered 7.2 scoreless innings, allowing just six hits, no walks, and striking out six. He becomes the first pitcher in Mets history to have 5+ strikeouts in each of his first four career starts.
And amazing as all that sounds, it’s only half the story as the young hard-throwing righty was even more impressive at the plate.
Syndergaard may have been lightning on the mound but on Wednesday he was also packing some thunder in his bat, going 3-for-3 including a memorable blast he hammered over the wall in the fourth inning for his first major league home run. He is now batting .444 (4-for-9) so far this season.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, his home run traveled 430 feet, which is the longest home run by a pitcher since Carlos Zambrano hit one 431 feet on June 30, 2012 for the Marlins at Philadelphia.
Still shocked after the game at his offensive showing, Syndergaard told reporters how surreal it was.
“I wasn’t really jazzed up. I just thought to myself as I was running around the bases, ‘What happened?’ I kind of shocked myself in a sense.”
The Mets rookie also tied the franchise record with three hits in a game, and became the first Mets pitcher to hit a homer since Jeremy Hefner on May 29, 2012 off Philadelphia’s Joe Blanton.
Asked if he was stunned by Syndergaard’s home run, Terry Collins laughed and said:
“He’s 6-7, 245… I’m hoping he can hit them that far. You had guys on the bench, some of our hitters saying, ‘I can’t hit the ball that far.’ He’s a big, strong kid. There’s no doubt about it.”
Raise your hand if you believe the Mets are going to have back to back Rookie of the Year winners? 🙂
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