Noah Syndergaard Loses, But Impresses In Major League Debut
CHICAGO (CBSNewYork/AP) — Noah Syndergaard looked right at home in his major league debut.
The touted prospect showed off his electric fastball and sharp curve before fading in the sixth inning of the New York Mets' 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
"They've got a lot of thunder in their lineup," Syndergaard said. "But it instills a lot of confidence in me when I can go there (and) throw five innings against them."
The game was scoreless before the Cubs chased Syndergaard during their four-run sixth. Jorge Soler led off with a single and Starlin Castro followed with an RBI double to the left-field corner. Chris Coghlan then drove a 2-1 pitch from Syndergaard (0-1) over the wall in right for his fourth homer.
Syndergaard was charged with three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. The 6-foot-6 right-hander struck out six and walked four while throwing 103 pitches.
"He knows what he's got to do," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He came up here bound and determined to show everybody he belongs here and I think he did that."
Jake Arrieta pitched eight sparkling innings for Chicago, and Kris Bryant homered for the second straight day. Castro doubled twice and drove in a run.
Bryant had three hits, including his first major league triple. The rookie star belted a leadoff shot against Hansel Robles in the eighth, sending a towering shot to the back of the bleachers in left.
Bryant said he was impressed with Syndergaard's stuff.
"He pitched really well," he said. "He's got an extremely live fastball, he's got a good breaking ball, he commands the ball well. I'm sure he had some added adrenaline and emotion. He's gonna pitch for a long time."
Arrieta (4-3) had a season-high 10 strikeouts and allowed one run and three hits. The right-hander had dropped each of his last two starts.
Kevin Plawecki drove in New York's lone run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
Syndergaard became the first Mets rookie to make his big league debut at Wrigley Field since Jason Isringhausen in 1995. He had plenty of support from friends and family.
Syndergaard's parents, along with an aunt and uncle and other close friends, traveled in for the occasion.
Syndergaard struck out Dexter Fowler to start the game before retiring Bryant and Anthony Rizzo to get through the first inning.
"The confidence that I can take away from this game is that I can pitch at this level and have some success," he said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: CF Juan Lagares was held out because of a slight strain in his upper right side. The Gold Glover originally suffered the injury making a diving catch in New York last week. Lagares may sit out Wednesday as well. ... RHP Buddy Carlyle could be headed to the disabled list after injuring his back Monday night. He was unavailable Tuesday and will be evaluated before Wednesday's game.
Cubs: LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (groin) threw a bullpen session and is scheduled to make his next start at Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. Wada, who is on the 15-day disabled list, is 0-3 in five starts in Iowa with a 3.25 ERA.
UP NEXT
Mets ace Matt Harvey (5-1, 2.72 ERA) suffered his first loss of the season in his last outing at Philadelphia on Friday. He won his only previous start against the Cubs, a 3-2 victory on May 17, 2013, at Wrigley Field. Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.52 ERA) is 0-3 in four career starts against the Mets.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
