Despite allowing two solo home runs to DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado in the first inning, Noah Syndergaard settled down and delivered a solid performance. The Mets’ rookie yielded only one more run the rest of the way as he struck out five batters during seven strong innings.
Syndergaard says that he’s struggled early in games this year because it’s taken him time to get warmed up. In his previous start, he allowed four runs in the first inning against the Rays.
“I tense up and I try to throw (the fastball) harder, my hand grips the ball too tight and I keep trying to throw it harder and harder,” Syndergaard said recalling his loss in Tampa. “It makes it hard for me to relax and get comfortable on the mound.” (Kristie Ackert, NY Daily News)
Travis d’Arnaud took some of the blame for the first inning, telling reporters he called for too many fastballs. “That was my fault. I got one finger happy,” d’Arnaud said. “Once we started realizing they were geared up for the fastball, we started mixing pitches.”
The impressive part about Syndergaard’s season is how he’s been able to succeeded without having his best stuff. Yesterday’s performance was a great example of that.
He now improves to 7-6 on the season with a 3.07 ERA in 105.2 innings pitched. His 111 strikeouts this season are the fourth most for a Mets’ pitcher in his first 17 career games, which puts him in elite company. Only Dwight Gooden (133), Matt Harvey (128) and Nolan Ryan (120) had more strikeouts this early in their careers.
With his impressive run of success, could Syndergaard jump into the Rookie of the Year race? The early favorites, Joc Pederson and Kris Bryant, have cooled off considerably after blistering hot starts while Thor is just starting to hit his stride. He is 5-2 with a 2.54 ERA during his last 11 starts.
