New York Mets: Noah Syndergaard has worst first inning of career

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets looks on after surrendering a two run home run in the first inning against Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on August 28, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets looks on after surrendering a two run home run in the first inning against Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on August 28, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Noah Syndergaard has been a rock in the New York Mets pitching staff the second half of the season. That is until the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in a late-August matchup in Queens.

What’s going on with New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard? On Wednesday night the right-handed ace gave up six runs to the Chicago Cubs in the first inning, the worst first inning of his career.

Syndergaard, famously nicknamed “Thor” has been a rock for the Mets the second half of the season. He currently has a 3.71 ERA and a FIP of 3.36. With these numbers, he shouldn’t have given up more than two runs. So what exactly went wrong?

Syndergaard was understandably upset after the game and went on to say he hasn’t felt good on the mound despite his recent success. He has also said he has felt “unathletic” lately.

More from Call to the Pen

It seems like he was trying the fake it ’till you make it approach. It’s beyond me that Mickey Calloway let him pitch in the second and then he gave up two more runs. If it was any other pitcher they would have been pulled right out of there.

This was an unexpected loss for Syndergaard because just last week he did great against the Cleveland Indians. He pitched almost a perfect game before the sixth inning.

You can blame the rain all you want but the truth is that Syndergaard just wasn’t on his game yesterday. Out of ten batters he faced in the first, he allowed six runs and five hits just go by. That’s not normal.

To make matters worse, this was a must-win for the Mets in order to get closer to the playoffs. Every game is important now and Noah knows that.

All the Questions on Angel Hernandez's Psych Exam. dark. Next

The New York Mets ended up losing 10-7 and in the post-game interview, Noah Syndergaard said that he knows he let the team down. Hopefully, with his next start, he will be a little more focused. Meanwhile, he gives props to Thursday’s starter Jacob DeGrom.