Nat for your eyes: Amazin’s hide deGrom, Noah from rivals

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets strategically opted for Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard to pitch a minor-league intrasquad game on the back fields of the Mets' facility Monday.

This was all done on purpose to prevent the Nationals from getting another look at the two top starters before the regular seasons begins. Washington beat the Mets 6-5 in their Grapefruit League game.

But pitching against the backdrop of a smaller, backfield crowd rather than a spring training stadium that seats 7,160 people created another advantage for deGrom.

It allowed the reigning Cy Young award winner to focus on the process of his outing instead of the results.

“I threw one changeup that I really didn't like and just like, right away went back to it,” deGrom said. “Or if I threw a slider I didn't like, threw it right away again. I was able to get in more work, I think, than I even expected.

“You get in front of a crowd in a stadium, you kind of focus more on the result instead of the process. I think today I was really able to focus on where I wanted to throw those pitches and not really worry about the outcome, just make sure I was throwing quality off-speed today."

By the end of the game, deGrom threw 96 pitches over 6.1 innings. He struck out 12 batters and allowed one run on seven hits with one walk. He said he felt better later on than at the start.

And even though it's spring training and deGrom was facing teammates, he still took that earned run seriously.

"Yeah, I don't like giving up runs,” deGrom said. “I've said that before. Whether it's a spring game, back there, anywhere. I don't like giving up hits, runs, none of it.S"

Getting frustrated by poor results, even if it's only spring training, is something Syndergaard can relate to. The righthander threw his glove on the mound after giving up a walk to Wilson Ramos on Monday. The catcher also crushed a home run off him.

Syndergaard finished his day throwing 99 pitches over six innings. He struck out 12 and gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits (two homers) with two walks. Along with Ramos, 20-year-old infielder Andres Gimenez also knocked a long ball off Syndergaard.

The right-hander has looked sharp all spring and said he feels ready for the opening series in Washington, D.C.

“It's pretty emotional,” Syndergaard said. “A lot of feelings involved with Opening Day and the matchup and divisional rivals. The three guys they got going for them are really good too. So it's going to be a nice little duel between all of us.” HIDE-AND-SEEK Reporters walked into the press conference room for the postgame interview with Syndergaard and he was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, he popped out from underneath the conference table. The pitcher decided to have a little fun with the media by hiding from reporters.

In the following interview, deGrom didn't miss a beat. Reporters informed the ace that Syndergaard was hiding under the table just moments before.

“He's still under there,” deGrom quipped with a smile. FINAL PUSH

Kyle Dowdy's reular-season destination remains a mystery. The Rule 5 draft pick has pitched five erratic Grapefruit League games for the team, including Monday, when the 26year-old gave up three walks and three hits and managed to escape without giving up a run.

Dowdy has a 7.36 ERA across 7.1 innings with three strikeouts and six walks this spring. If the Mets decide to leave him off the 25-man roster, they will be forced to hand him back over to the Indians. HOMER TRIFECTA

Michael Conforto demolished his third homer in an as many days on Monday against the Nationals. It was a two-run moonshot that seemed to take an eternity to land beyond the fence on the right-field lawn.

The long ball was Conforto's fourth homer of spring, tying Pete Alonso for the team lead. The outfielder is slashing .265/.321/.531 with 10 RBI, a double and six runs scored over 16 games.