Noah Syndergaard pitched his best game of the season to lead the Mets to a 4-1 win over the Giants for the series win in San Francisco. Syndergaard notched the first complete game of his career and was in command from the first pitch, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits over nine innings. Amazing to think this happened one night after Steven Matz pitched one of the best games of his career. The rotation appears to be coming together for this Mets team.

The Mets jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on a two-run home run by Michael Conforto. The Giants scratched out their one run on a misplayed triple and sacrifice fly in the third inning. The score remained 2-1 until the eighth when Tomas Nido led off with a single and advanced to second on a Syndergaard sacrifice bunt. Amed Rosario then singled and stole second, setting up second and third for Jeff Mcneil to deliver his second hit of the night, a two RBI single to give the Mets breathing room. Syndergaard held the lead with no need for the bullpen. After well over 100 pitches in the ninth, he was still hitting 99 mph and striking out batters. Not only did Syndergaard win this game for the Mets, in impressive fashion, but he gave the bullpen a much needed day off.

Tomorrow the Mets kick off a three-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Jacob deGrom, Jason Vargas and Zack Wheeler will oppose a trio of lefties in Alex Wood, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Battling for first place in the NL West and emboldened by the addition of Manny Machado, the Dodgers will certainly bring their A game against the Mets, but we’ve been playing well and we have nothing to lose, so bring it on!

11 comments on “Gut reaction: Mets 4, Giants 1 – 9/2/18

  • b

    lance lynn , and severino are not thor , wheels or jake ?!!!!

  • Brian Joura

    Gary Cohen said during the game that Noah became the first Mets pitcher to beat SF twice in the same season since Steve Trachsel. He was terrific today and seemed to get better as the game went on. Good things come when you don’t constantly allow base hits.

    Dodgers have been killing the Mets with the HR ball the past couple of years. Hopefully the boys can keep them in the park this upcoming series.

  • Eraff

    That was an incredibly well pitched game.

    On one of Jakes recent starts, Noah was at the top of the steps during virtually the entire game—and he was watching deGrom with incredible intensity.

    He mixed pitches…he altered elevation a few times. Hde pitched Upside Down in several At Bats. Of course, he was still 99ing 110 pitches in.

    I’m getting some optimism for 2019. They have a Starting Point and some signs of life.

  • TJ

    Unfortunately I did not see any of the game, but I am still excited by the results. This is certainly a diminished SF line up, but I find it important for these guys to finish strong.

    Like Eraff, I have optimism looking forward to 2019. The NL East is up for grabs, and the Braves and Phillies will be looking to spend on improvements. Still, not one of the competitors has the pitching that the Mets have. Just figure out home to add offense and defense simultaneously, and a couple of legit backend arms, and they should have as good a shot as anyone. 3 potential aces is something no one else can match.

    • Mike Walczak

      Machado Machado Machado

      And, oh yes, – Reyes, – Bruce, – Vargas and please David, retire.

  • Metsense

    My gut reaction be this great starting pitching will take them to the playoffs in 2019. I feel like I stepped into a DeLorean with Thor taking me back into the future. A complete game. Do they even have stats for them anymore? Watchout, they are going to take the Dodgers in of 2 of 3 games. Let’s go Mets!

  • TexasGusCC

    I’m just as happy as everyone else, but have to remember that this Giants lineup is probably worse than the Mets lineup. Syndergaard did what he had to do, and it was a great sign, but our excitement needs to be measured by exactly who it was he was facing.

    Looking ahead, I’m intrigued about the Tuesday night game that Rich Hill is starting. He hit Nimmo three times, breaking his hand the third time and then laughed about it in the post game because he felt Nimmo brought it on himself by standing over the plate. I want him drilled hard. Vargas starts that one, and I’m expecting that 35 year old pitcher to know what to do. As I recall, that game was on a Sunday and if this team is going to get any respect around the league, it helps to at least stick up for yourself when the big boys are hitting you and laughing about it in the postgame.

    • Mike Walczak

      The problem with Vargas is that his fastball is timed with a calendar.

      • TexasGusCC

        Mike, 85 in the right place is good enough. I’m not talking injury, but having them hit your best player three times, who at that point was being talked of as an all-star, and then laughing about it afterwards? Bad enough they let him get away with it, but he rubbed their faces in it and they’re not going to respond?

  • Eraff

    Do I remember that play correctly…Nimmo left his hands out there in the way of the ball…???? or am I thinking of some other time?

    If you’re gonna be in harm’s way, part of the “skill” is turning to let it hit you in the back of the shoulders or the Butt. I’d have had the same reaction as the Pitcher—he certainly wasn’t throwing at Nimmo.

    • TexasGusCC

      Yes he was. He even hinted at it when he said that Nimmo wanted to get hit.

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