Noah Syndergaard Shuts Out Reds, Hits Home Run

Righthander Noah Syndergaard is the #2 pitcher in the New York Mets starting rotation behind Cy young Award winner Jacob deGrom, but he didn’t pitch that way in the first month of the season. Syndergaard came into his first start in May with a record of 1-3 and a 6.35 ERA. But the turning of the calendar page finds Syndergaard getting back to his usual form.

In New York’s game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 2nd at Citi Field, Syndergaard pitched a 1-0 complete game shutout that featured 10 strikeouts. He also hit a solo home run for the game’s only run. In other words, he did it all, and accomplished a rare feat. This was the first time since 1983 (Bob Welch of the Dodgers on June 17th) that a pitcher tossed a complete game shutout and hit a solo home run in a 1-0 victory, and only the eighth time since 1908 that has happened, according to BaseballReference.com.

Syndergaard allowed only four singles and one walk in shutting down the Reds. The Mets improved to 16-15 on the season, a game and a half behind first place Philadelphia.