An As’ kickin’
Cabrera hurts old team with double off Noah
The Mets have come crashing back down to earth, and a familiar face aided the fall on Friday night.
Asdrubal Cabrera hit a double off Noah Syndergaard to spark a three-run first inning, and the Mets' offense could never recover in a 4-2 loss to the Phillies.
After breaking out for 25 hits in the first game of a doubleheader against Philadelphia on Thursday, the Mets had just six a day later.
It didn't help that the Phillies ran wild against Syndergaard, a recurring issue for the big right-hander.
The Phillies stole a season-high five bases, including the first two of the season by the catcher Jorge Alfaro, against Syndergaard.
"Definitely an Achilles' heel," Syndergaard said of holding runners. "Embarrassing tonight."
Mets manager Mickey Callaway said it's an area Syndergaard will continue to work to improve.
"Bottom line is he needs to get better and I think he will," Callaway said.
Syndergaard (8-3) allowed four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 innings.
"Today was more of a step in the wrong direction," Syndergaard said.
Aaron Nola struck out 11 in seven impressive innings to stay unbeaten at Citizens Bank Park.
Nola (14-3) gave up one run on three hits with one walk while lowering his ERA to 2.24. The All-Star is even better at home, improving to 9-0 with a 2.00 mark in 12 starts in Philadelphia this season.
Pat Neshek pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save in as many chances.
Nick Williams and Alfaro also drove in runs for the playoff-contending Phillies.
Austin Jackson had three hits and an RBI for the Mets.
Cabrera's double put the Phillies ahead and Williams followed with an RBI single. Cabrera, traded from the Mets to Philadelphia last month, scored on Carlos Santana's double-play groundout.
That was more than enough for Nola, who struck out the side in the first and retired nine of the first 10 Mets. The only batter that reached during that stretch, Jose Bautista, got on because of an error by second baseman Cesar Hernandez. That made it 94 errors for Philadelphia, which began play second in the majors to St. Louis (95).
The Mets got their lone run off Nola in the fourth. Jeff McNeil led off with a single, the first hit off Nola, went to third on Jackson's single and scored on Todd Frazier's sacrifice fly.