Syndergaard Pitches 7 Innings To Help Mets Beat Marlins 6-2
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MIAMI (AP) — Noah Syndergaard gave up a homer to Marcell Ozuna on a 100-mph fastball, but struck out nine in seven innings to help the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Friday night.
Syndergaard (6-2) allowed two runs, which increased his ERA to 1.91, third-best in the majors. James Loney, acquired last week in a trade with San Diego, broke a 2-all tie in the seventh with a two-run homer, one of three for the Mets.
Ozuna pulled a Syndergaard fastball for his 11th homer in the second inning and drove in both of Miami's runs. Asdrubal Cabrera hit his fifth homer for New York, and backup catcher Rene Rivera hit his second.
The Mets have 76 homers to lead the NL.
Wilmer Flores, beginning a long stint as David Wright's replacement, drove in a run and had two hits to hike his average to .190. Wright was placed on the disabled list Friday with a herniated disk in his neck and is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks.
Addison Reed struck out the side in the eighth, extending his scoreless streak to 12 1/3 innings. Jim Henderson pitched a perfect ninth to complete a seven-hitter.
New York, embarking on a 10-game trip, improved to 8-0 after an off day.
With the score tied at 2, Tom Koehler (3-6) walked the leadoff batter to start the seventh. Loney then pulled the first pitch from reliever Mike Dunn for his 100th career homer.
The Marlins stole three bases in the seventh and still couldn't score against Syndergaard. Pinch hitter Ichiro Suzuki singled and stole second, and after pinch hitter J.T. Realmuto walked, both advanced on a two-out double steal. But Syndergaard, still throwing 100 mph in his final inning, struck out Derek Dietrich on a 3-2 pitch to end the threat.
Ozuna's homer ended Syndergaard's streak of 22 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. Ozuna added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-all in the sixth.
Cabrera led off the fourth with a homer to make the score 1-all. Yoenis Cespedes followed with a single and later scored on broken-bat single by Flores.
SLUMP
The Mets' Michael Conforto, dropped to fifth in the order for the first time this year, went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. He's in a 1-for-26 slump that has dropped his average to .246.
SWITCHING SIDES
Marlins LHP Wei-Yin Chen, who is 0 for 28 in his career, tried batting right-handed for the first time in 15 years Thursday and nearly had a hit. "When I started out playing baseball, I hit right-handed," he said. Manager Don Mattingly said looks a lot better on that side.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: C Travis d'Arnaud (shoulder) was a designated hitter at extended spring training Friday, and was scheduled to DH this weekend in the Florida State League. Throwing remains an issue, however, manager Terry Collins said. ... 1B Lucas Duda (stress fracture in back) has yet to begin a rehab program. ... RHP Hansel Robles (right ankle) was available after leaving Wednesday's game because of the injury.
UP NEXT
Mets RHP Bartolo Colon (4-3, 3.39) is scheduled to face LHP Justin Nicolino (2-3, 4.50) on Saturday.
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