Mets rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard was brilliant on Friday night, tossing a career-high 8.0 innings and limiting the Cincinnati Reds to just one earned run, scattering five singles while striking out five and walking none.
Syndergaard was as efficient as we’ve ever seen him, throwing a first pitch strike to all but four batters and using just 89 pitches for the night in what has to be his finest start as a major leaguer.
Amazingly, Syndergaard struck out at least five and walked none for the fourth time in only nine career outings since his promotion, and you can see how he’s really starting to figure things out as he continues to evolve and develop at this level.
Last night he had perfect command of all his pitches and most impressive to me is how his changeup has become such a formidable pitch.
“You couldn’t have told me that’s a 22-year-old kid out there today,” manager Terry Collins said after the game. “He pitched an outstanding game. Everybody says he throws hard, and that’s right. Well, tonight, he commanded his off-speed pitches. If he can do that, he’s gonna win a lot of games.”
I don’t know if it’s the water or the Shake Shack burgers, but when Syndergaard is pitching at Citi Field, his performance is a completely different level. In five home starts, he is now 3-1 with a 1.89 ERA, striking out 24 while walking just four batters.
Thor has held hitters to just a .215 opponent batting average and the two extra-base hits he’s given up are the fewest ever allowed in a Mets pitcher’s first five career home starts. Wow…
“I just had everything working for me. I don’t think it’s much different than my previous starts, just I was able to make quality pitches and execute and get quick outs,” the hard-throwing righty said about his gem.
Despite the team only having two hits on the night, Syndergaard earned his third win of the season. The last time that happened was back in 2009.
As he continues to gain more confidence, I’m excited to see how much better Thor will get with every passing start, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he produces one of the best second halfs in the National League this year.
