Tough Night For Syndergaard
PHILADELPHIA — Rhys Hoskins became the seventhfastest player to hit 50 career home runs and the Philadelphia Phillies kept pace in the NLEast race with a 4-0 victory over the Mets on Wednesday night.
Zach Eflin and five relievers combined on a six-hitter and Odubel Herrera added two-run homer for the Phillies, who stayed 5 1⁄ games behind divi
2 sion-leading Atlanta.
Seven of Philadelphia's final 11 games are against the Braves.
Hoskins' opposite-field solo shot against Noah Syndergaard in the first inning was his 32nd homer of the season and 50th in 192 career games.
Syndergaard (12-4) gave up both homers and four hits in four innings, matching his shortest outing of the year on April 4 — also against Philadelphia. The right-hander posted a 5.75 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this year.
“[In] 2015, we went on that huge run and it was the best time of our lives,” Syndegaard said. “Over the last few years, it’s been really difficult as a player.”
Looking forward, the goal, Syndergaard said, is to be more like Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler.
“I’m just realizing I need to change a little bit because it’s something that’s been ingrained in my mind for the longest time,” Syndegaard said. “With my fastball and how hard I throw it, I’ve realized I’m not getting the same amount of swing-and-misses as I’d like to be — whereas Jacob or Wheeler, they have the ability to really stay closed and have that explosive fastball. That’s something I definitely want to emulate in my mechanics.”
Hoskins later added his 35th double, and Jose Bautista had a pinch-hit RBI double in the fifth off Jerry Blevins.
Eflin (11-7) struck out nine and allowed three hits in five innings. Luis Avilan, Victor Arano and Adam Morgan each went one inning.
Aaron Loup allowed a leadoff single to Jay Bruce in the ninth before Pat Neshek got the final three outs in Philadelphia's 11th shutout. New York (70-82) was blanked for the 12th time and assured a second consecutive losing season.
Includes a Newsday report.