NY manager Terry Collins said Wednesday that Matz’s elbow began bothering him after a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers two days earlier. Syndergaard had allowed only one homer in 38⅓ innings this season entering the start.
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Looking more ill than stunned, Maeda hung his head in the center of the Dodger Stadium infield in the fifth inning Wednesday, surrounded by more than 40,000 amazed fans in the stands and an opposing pitcher that was literally running circles around him … for the second time.
Ultimately, Syndergaard allowed two runs on six hits and one walk in eight innings.
Maeda hit Eric Campbell with a pitch and walked Rene Rivera to put two runners on for Syndergaard.
“I go out and focus on what I have to do on the mound, and anything extra is great”, he told reporters after the game. The Mets are expected to make a roster move to add another pitcher to their bullpen as well, as Sean Gilmartin is rumored to be the choice.
“There were some balls hit hard tonight that we didn’t have anything to show for”, Roberts said. “But you don’t expect Syndergaard to hit two home runs”. Less than a week after teammate Bartolo Colon hit his first career home run, Syndergaard made a decision to join in on the fun as well. Matz has battled a number of injuries throughout his professional career so the Mets will take whatever measures they need to get him healthy.
Syndergaard did surrender solo homers to Corey Seager and Yasmani Grandal, as the Dodgers briefly held a 2-1 lead in the fourth.
The Dodgers tied it at 1 in the third on Seager’s homer. Since then, he has allowed just four runs in 33 innings (1.09 ERA) while striking out 34 batters. His first career homer came last May 27 against Philadelphia, when he went 3 for 3.
The news broke Wednesday evening that the Mets will be skipping Matz’s next start due to elbow soreness.
He plans to play catch on Thursday and will see a doctor in NY when the team wraps up its West Coast trip.
Walker returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday after missing three starts with a bruised right shin.
At the plate, Syndergaard left his biggest impression with two no-doubters against Kenta Maeda (3-2).
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Dodgers (17-17): Los Angeles counters with ace Clayton Kershaw in the finale of the four-game series at 7:10 PM.
