Padres Battle Syndergaard and the Mets to Even Series
Credit: AP Photo
Citi Field, New York-
After losing embarrassingly at the hands of soft-tossing Jason Vargas in game one, the San Diego Padres had their work cut out for them to get back into the series.
The second game would have the Padres set to battle Noah Syndergaard. With Jacob deGrom waiting for the series finale on Thursday.
Syndergaard would go seven innings for the Mets. The tall right-handed pitcher allowed three earned runs on the night and struck out eight batters. He walked five in the game showing some command issues during the contest. There are rumors of a Syndergaard trade this coming week, and the Padres have been linked to the pitcher. Rumors and speculation did not seem to bother him as he pitched reasonably well on Wednesday.
Three miscues (two counted as errors) by left fielder Dominic Smith were costly for New York and Syndergaard. He allowed a ball to go between his legs and was also charged with a throwing error. With the Mets throwing the ball around the field, the Padres plated three runs in the third to take a 4-1 lead at the time.
Dinelson Lamet worked his way out of a first-inning jam to have a decent line for the Padres. “His slider was there, but his fastball command was never there,” Andy Green indicated after the game about his starting pitcher. He threw 80 pitches and went four complete innings. The right-handed pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery struck out six in the game and walked one. Matt Strahm relieved Lamet and went two shutout innings. He was very impressive in the game, striking out four batters including Peter Alonso. Strahm was able to keep hitters off balance and was pinpoint accurate with his fastball. “He has been great,” Green stated when asked about Strahm.
The Padres were putting the ball in play in this game as they recorded 14 hits in the game. Fernando Tatis Jr.went 3-for-5, and Manny Manchado, Hunter Renfroe, Franmil Reyes, and Austin Hedges all had a multiple-hit game for San Diego. Manuel Margot, though he went 0-for-3, was a massive factor on the basepaths. Margot walked twice, stole two bases, and scored a run. He has turned in on offensively of late. “Manny has been really aggressive in every capacity, and that is what we want to see from him,” Green said.
Andres Munoz pitched the 8th inning, throwing 102 mph fastballs. He walked the leadoff hitter in his inning of relief but was able to retire the next three batters. The 20-year-old Mexican fireballer still has yet to allow a run this season. He is a special talent.
Luis Perdomo threw the 9th for the Padres, facing the minimum on ten pitches. Matt Strahm was awarded the win in the 7-2 contest.
Game three is tomorrow as the Padres will have Eric Lauer on the mound. Jacob deGrom will the opposing pitcher in an early game. 9:10 AM start time.
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