MIAMI (AP) — With David Wright out, the injury-plagued New York Mets will be looking for reserves to pick up the slack — and they did just that Friday night.
James Loney, Rene Rivera and Wilmer Flores provided more than enough run support for Noah Syndergaard, who struck out nine in seven innings to beat the Miami Marlins 6-2.
Newcomer Loney broke a 2-all tie with a two-run homer, one of three by the Mets. Backup catcher Rivera also hit a two-run homer. Flores, assuming an everyday role after Wright went on the disabled list Friday, had two hits and drove in a run.
“It’s huge, especially with the unfortunate news about David today,” Syndergaard said. “That’s the thing about us — we have the ability to pick one another up. It’s a great thing to be a part of. I feel like we’re really going to take off from here.”
Syndergaard (6-2) gave up a homer on a 100-mph fastball to Marcell Ozuna, but allowed only two runs, which increased his ERA to 1.91, third-best in the majors.
He wasn’t impressed with his stuff.
“I didn’t have a great feel for my changeup,” he said. “My curveball was not very good. My slider was decent. I really had to battle out there.”
Loney, acquired last week in a trade with San Diego, hit his 100th career homer and his first with the Mets.
“I told these guys, `Thanks for all the years we’ve been through,”‘ he said with a smile.
Rivera hit his second homer and Asdrubal Cabrera hit his fifth for the Mets. Their 76 homers lead the NL.
Flores hiked his average to .190 filling in for Wright, who is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks and perhaps much longer with a herniated disk in his neck.
Addison Reed struck out the side in the eighth, extending his scoreless streak to 12 1/3 innings. Jim Henderson pitched a perfect ninth to complete a seven-hitter.
New York, embarking on a 10-game trip, improved to 8-0 after an off day.
With the score tied at 2, Tom Koehler (3-6) walked the leadoff batter to start the seventh. Loney then pulled the first pitch from reliever Mike Dunn for his 100th career homer.
The Marlins stole three bases in the seventh and still couldn’t score against Syndergaard. Pinch hitter Ichiro Suzuki singled and stole second, and after pinch hitter J.T. Realmuto walked, both advanced on a two-out double steal.
But Syndergaard, still throwing 100 mph in his final inning, struck out Derek Dietrich on a 3-2 pitch to end the threat.
Ozuna pulled a low Syndergaard fastball for his 11th homer in the second inning, ending Syndergaard’s streak of 22 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
“I thought it was a pretty good pitch,” Syndergaard said. “I’ll be facing him for a very long time. I’m going to have to avoid that zone.”
Ozuna added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-all in the sixth.
Cabrera led off the fourth with a homer to make the score 1-all. Yoenis Cespedes followed with a single and later scored on broken-bat single by Flores.
SLUMP
The Mets’ Michael Conforto, dropped to fifth in the order for the first time this year, went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. He’s in a 1-for-26 slump that has dropped his average to .246.
SWITCHING SIDES
Marlins LHP Wei-Yin Chen, who is 0 for 28 in his career, tried batting right-handed for the first time in 15 years Thursday and nearly had a hit. “When I started out playing baseball, I hit right-handed,” he said. Manager Don Mattingly said looks a lot better on that side.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: C Travis d’Arnaud (shoulder) was a designated hitter at extended spring training Friday, and was scheduled to DH this weekend in the Florida State League. Throwing remains an issue, however, manager Terry Collins said. … 1B Lucas Duda (stress fracture in back) has yet to begin a rehab program. … RHP Hansel Robles (right ankle) was available after leaving Wednesday’s game because of the injury.
UP NEXT
Mets RHP Bartolo Colon (4-3, 3.39) is scheduled to face LHP Justin Nicolino (2-3, 4.50) on Saturday.
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