Noah Syndergaard was on the bump Friday against the Tacoma Rainers, making the fifth Triple-A start in his young career. After a relatively disappointing effort last time out where he only last four innings, Syndergaard did a bit better going five frames this time. Thor threw a season high 96-pitches (58 strikes) over the five innings, giving up three runs on six hits, walking two while striking out a season high six batters. As a top pitching prospect it can be assumed that he was taken out of the game due to his pitch count.
The Las Vegas 51’s headed into Friday night’s game against the Rainers in first place by 4.5 games. Winners of four straight, the 51’s were looking to take the second game of the series against Tacoma. Syndergaard would do his job in the first inning setting down the Rainers in order with two punchouts. The 51’s would start the scoring thanks to an RBI single by Andrew Brown who was making his second start for Las Vegas. They would add a second run in the inning by way of the hottest hitter in the organization Allan Dyskstra. Dykstra hit is 10th double of the season driving in Brown which gave the 51’s a 2-0 lead. Las Vegas would add a third run in the second inning.
Just when it seemed like Syndergaard was settled in for what started out as one of his better outings this season, struggles in the third inning reminded us that he was human after all. Things started to go downhill a bit quicker for Syndergaard in the fourth inning when Jesus Montero led off with a solo home run. Leury Bonilla would tie the game for Tacoma with a two-out RBI double. Thor would re-coop and leave the game after the top half of the fifth. Las Vegas would scratch two more runs across the board giving Syndergaard the chance for his third win of the season if the score stands up and the bullpen can do the job.
Syndergaard is taking a step in the right direction with his progress. If the strikeouts continue to rise (as they are) and the walks continue to drop (which they did from the previous start), we are going to be in good shape come later this year or the start of next year.
Photo Credit: David Conde/MMN