Mets’ pitching coach, Dave Eiland had the fan base buzzing these last few days with some comments he made about Noah Syndergaard.
He’s spent, what, 2 1/2 years in the big leagues? So I don’t know where all the expectations came from,” Eiland told Mike Puma of the NY Post. “I wasn’t here for all that, but he is yet to do a whole lot at the major league level.”
“Now is he capable of it? Yeah, but he is 25 years old,” Eiland continued. “For the most part every game he’s kept us in it and given us a chance to win.
Interesting. Personally, at only 25 years of age, I feel like Noah Syndergaard has accomplished a lot in his major league career. A sub 3 ERA through his first 400 innings, playoff success, a World Series win etc. Maybe this is Eiland’s way of motivating Syndergaard.
A certain number of fans have taken those comments, and gone off the deep end. Listen, I know he hasn’t been dominant so far this season. He pitched 30 innings last year. I’d love to live in a world where that doesn’t effect you the next year, but it’s not realistic.
It is frustrating to see him not attack hitters with his world class fastball. Back to back changeups? Thor is coming though. I believe he’ll be here shortly.
After a rain delay that lasted a little more than an hour, the Mets and Blue Jays were ready to play baseball. Leading off for Toronto was Curtis Granderson, and the Mets presented him with this video.
Very nice.
Curtis Granderson was called out on strikes. Then Josh Donaldson was called out on strikes. Then Justin Smoak struck out swinging. Thor? Is that you?
In the bottom of the 2nd, Syndergaard would impact the game offensively. After a Devin Mesoraco walk, Syndergaard hit a double down the line which scored Mesoraco. 1-0 Mets.
In the top of the 3rd, Thor was mostly missing in action.
Jaime Garcìa struck out to begin the inning. Curtis Granderson followed with a single. After Josh Donaldson popped up, Justin Smoak singled. Teoscar Hernandez was hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded.
Yangervis Solarte singled to center after a mound visit, and two Blue Jays came home. 2-1 Toronto. At that point, with the pitch count rising, you just hoped he could get through 5 innings. Kevin Pillar flew out and the inning was over.
The 4th inning had better things in store.
Russell Martin led off the top of the 4th by grounding out weakly. Syndergaard struck out Richard Ureña, and then struck out the pitcher, Jaime Garcìa. It should be mentioned that he went to a full count on Garcìa though.
Jay Bruce started off the home half of the fourth by hitting a ground rule double to right. Devin Mesoraco walked, and then Jose Reyes singled, which loaded the bases with no outs.
Noah Syndergaard was up next. He hit a fly ball to center which scored Jay Bruce easily. He gave up 2 runs, but drove in both of the Mets’ runs. 2-2.
Amed Rosario was up next and smoked a ball to right-center. He missed a homerun by inches. Devin Mesoraco scored on the double. Jose Reyes made it to third. Why is Reyes on this team? 3-2 Mets.
After Brandon Nimmo popped out, Juan Lagares singled to left, scoring Reyes and Rosario. Lagares advanced to second on the throw home. 5-2 Mets.
Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a double, scoring Lagares. 6-2 Mets. Finally! The Mets offense shows up.
In the top of the 5th, Syndergaard worked around a double and a walk by getting an inning ending double play. That would be the end of the line for Syndergaard. Over 5 innings of work he allowed 2 earned runs. He gave up 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. Don’t forget about his 2 RBIs!
Again. Good. Not great.
The Mets bullpen made sure that the Blue Jays wouldn’t score again. The Mets offense wasn’t taking any chances.
In the bottom of the 5th, Amed Rosario continued his big night by singling home Devin Mesoraco. 7-2 Mets. Brandon Nimmo singled home Adrian Gonzalez. 8-2 Mets. Juan Lagares singled home Amed Rosario. 9-2 Mets. Who are these guys? Back-to-back big innings?
In the bottom of the 8th, Luis Guillorme got his second big league hit. He also got his first big league RBI, as his single drove home Juan Lagares. 10-2 Mets. Devin Mesoraco provided the proverbial cherry on top by hitting a homerun to left-center. 12-2 Mets. Whoa.
Quietly, Amed Rosario has been very good lately. He exploded tonight. 3 hits. 2 RBIs, 2 runs. Those balls were hit hard too. We have been waiting for Amed to arrive. This may have been his coming out party.
Juan Lagares had a huge night. 4-5, with a triple and 3 RBIs. Juan has been ready every time his name has been called this season. His average now sits at .357.
Devin Mesoraco, in a week, has already outperformed Tomas Nido and Jose Lobatòn combined.
Every day, I hate the Jay Bruce signing a little bit more. Like I said, Lagares has been great. Brandon Nimmo deserves playing time as well. That playing time, collectively, is coming at the expense of Michael Conforto. Jay Bruce’s paycheck keeps him an everyday player.
Now we have another case of rain threatening a game after a big win. The Mets are scheduled to play the second and final game of this series at 1:10 pm. Rain is in the forecast, and I don’t see a window.
Zack Wheeler will take on J.A Happ if they can somehow get the game in.
