NEW YORK — Right-hander Noah Syndergaard provided a glimpse of his ace-caliber talent in the first five innings of his Citi Field debut Sunday afternoon, when he earned his first big league win as the New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1.
However, his manager and teammates were more impressed by what they saw from Syndergaard in the sixth inning, when the 22-year-old allowed his lone run but kept his composure and minimized the damage after plunking Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez in the left earflap.
“He was outstanding, but the real challenge is after hitting Gomez — is he going to be able to settle down, rein himself in?” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “And he did. As upset as he was when I walked out to the mound, he reined himself in (and) got out of the inning. I was really impressed.”
Syndergaard, who was making his second big league start, opened the sixth inning by giving up just his second hit, a single by shortstop Luis Sardinas. Two pitches later, his 96 mph fastball tailed inside and hit Gomez, who immediately fell to the ground and lay there for a few minutes as the crowd of 32,422 fell silent.
As Gomez was tended to by Brewers trainer Dan Wright, a visibly shaken Syndergaard was surrounded by the Mets infielders before Collins trotted out to speak to him.
“I walked out, looked at him and said, ‘You OK?’” Collins said. “He said, ‘Yeah.’ (Collins said,) ‘Well this is the biggest out of the game, the next guy.’ He said, ‘I’ll get him.’”
After Gomez walked off the field — he passed concussion tests and was diagnosed with a facial contusion — Syndergaard struck out left fielder Khris Davis before allowing an RBI single to right fielder Ryan Braun. He ended the inning, and his afternoon, by retiring first baseman Adam Lind and third baseman Aramis Ramirez on flyouts.
“Ball just got away from him, and that happens when you try to pitch inside,” Mets catcher Johnny Monell said. “He just had a good sense of mind of knowing where he was at in the game.”
Syndergaard ended up allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out five over the six innings. His fastball was regularly clocked at 96-97 mph and was complemented by a curveball measured in the mid-70s and a changeup that traveled around 80 mph.
Syndergaard’s all-around impressive effort Sunday could keep him in the majors longer than the Mets might have anticipated. It was expected that the perpetually cost-conscious Mets would send Syndergaard back to Triple-A Las Vegas — and ensure he wouldn’t become eligible for arbitration until after the 2018 season — once right-hander Dillon Gee was ready to return from a groin injury.
However, Gee will make at least one more rehab start, which means Syndergaard will make at least one more start for the Mets. And what if he pitches Friday as he did Sunday?
“I know those decisions are coming down the line and we’re getting there,” Collins said, “but certainly an outing like today makes it hard.”
Syndergaard hopes to make the decision even tougher.
“Look around the clubhouse here, it’s unbelievable,” Syndergaard said. “I’d love to stay, so I’m going to do everything possible to stay here.”
Fantasy Update: If Syndergaard is available in your fantasy league, grab him. He’s got the look of a potential fantasy ace due to his electric stuff.