Noah Syndergaard Fends Off Threshers; PSL Mets Best Clearwater 9-4

The Port St. Lucie Mets were in Clearwater Monday evening beginning one last four game series against the Threshers before the Florida State League’s All-Star weekend.  Noah Syndergaard took the hill for the Mets, opposed by Clearwater’s Perci Garner.

Noah brought a 2.81 ERA and a 1.214 WHiP into the game.  Previous to yesterday, the last time he pitched into the seventh inning came a month ago on May 9th.  In his last three starts, Noah failed to replicate the outing he enjoyed on May 16th, when he went seven full innings, allowed two earned runs on seven hits, walked none and struck out ten.  He only totalled thirteen innings pitched over his last three appearances, posting an 0-2 record with a no-decision, and a 3.46 earned run average, while striking out eleven.

February 27, 2012; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; A general view of baseballs during New York Mets spring training workouts at Digital Domain Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

In Monday’s game, Noah’s twelfth start of the season, St. Lucie staked Syndergaard to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning.  Shortstop T.J. Rivera tripled home the Mets first two runs of the game.  First baseman Aderlin Rodriguez followed with a single to score Rivera.  An eventual passed ball by Threshers catcher Logan Moore allowed Rodriguez to later score Port St. Lucie’s fourth run of the inning.  In the bottom of the frame, Noah Syndergaard retired the side in order.

Clearwater’s clean-up hitter, third baseman Maikel Franco led off the second inning with a home run off Syndergaard – only the second long ball Noah allowed this season, and the first since his third start.  After surrendering another single to the following batter, Noah Syndergaard retired the next twelve he faced.

The Mets increased their lead to 6-1 in the top of the sixth, when right fielder Gilbert Gomez singled home Charley Thurber and Albert Cordero.  In the bottom of the frame, Noah  Syndergaard retired his thirteenth straight batter before surrendering only his third hit of the game to Peter Lavin.  After the next batter flied to Gilbert Gomez in right for the second out, Threshers right fielder Kelly Dugan took Syndergaard deep to make it a 6-3 game.

Noah Syndergaard climbed the mound again for the seventh, but promptly surrendered a single to the lead-off batter, and walked the next.  That compelled a pitching change, and in came Jim Fuller from the bullpen.  After getting two quick outs, Fuller walked the next two batters to push another run across the plate – charged to Syndergaard.  St. Lucie struck back, putting this game out of reach after scoring three more times in the top of the ninth.  T.J. Rivera crossed home plate on a passed ball, and Charley Thurber and Albert Cordero each hit run scoring singles.  Randy Fontanez and T.J. Chism each followed with a scoreless inning of relief to preserve the 9-4 victory.

Noah Syndergaard evened his season record at 3-3, pitched six full innings, and faced two batters in the seventh.  He allowed four earned runs which raised his ERA to a 3.11 mark.  He walked one batter and surrendered six hits, which marginally lowered his WHiP to a 1.209 mark.  With five strikeouts, he raised his season total to sixty-four in 63.2 innings pitched.  Two of his three home runs surrendered this season came harmlessly this game.

Florida State League All-Star Game – 6/15/2013 – North vs. South @ Dunedin, Florida

Noah Syndergaard, 20, was selected to his second professional all-star game.  He will be joined by team mates, outfielder Dustin Lawley, 24, who will be making his first pro all-star squad, and shortstop T.J. Rivera, 24, was selected to his second consecutive all-star game.

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