MLB GAME RECAP

Syndergaard, Mets blank Giants to split series

The Sports Xchange

August 21, 2016 at 7:46 pm.

Aug 21, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) throws to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Photo Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 21, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) throws to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Photo Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

SAN FRANCISCO — Yoenis Cespedes provided Noah Syndergaard all the offensive support he needed with a two-run home run in the seventh inning Sunday night as the New York Mets duo combined to overpower the San Francisco Giants in a 2-0 victory.

Syndergaard shut out the Giants on two hits over eight innings as the Mets managed a split of the four-game series after losing the first two games Thursday and Friday.

The win Sunday was the 900th of New York manager Terry Collins’ career, his 456th with the Mets. He is the 10th active manager, including the Giants’ Bruce Bochy, to reach the milestone.

The Mets (62-62) climbed back to .500, but they remain 4 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals (66-57) in the race for the second National League wild card.

New York, 3-4 so far on a 10-game trip, and the Cardinals open a three-game series in St. Louis on Tuesday.

The Giants (68-56) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (68-55) also duel in an important three-game set beginning Tuesday, with the Dodgers taking a half-game lead in the NL West into the series at Chavez Ravine.

San Francisco currently resides in the first wild-card spot, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals.

Syndergaard and Giants right-hander Jeff Samardzija had dueling shutouts going until the seventh, an inning Samardzija began with a no-hitter.

Curtis Granderson led off the inning with a double, ending the no-hit bid, before Cespedes launched a tremendous blast just inside the left field foul pole.

The homer, Cespedes’ third in the past two games, landed above the left field bleachers. It was measured at 417 feet.

Samardzija never previously completed six full innings with a no-hitter.

Syndergaard (11-7) took a no-hitter of his own into the fourth and never allowed a Giants baserunner past first base.

Eduardo Nunez’s infield hit and Joe Panik’s line single to left field were the Giants’ only hits off him. He also walked two and struck out six.

Mets closer Jeurys Familia completed the shutout with a one-hit ninth for his 41st save.

Buster Posey had a pinch-hit single in the ninth off Familia for the Giants, who failed in their quest to record their first series win at home since July 8-10.

The win was the 20th of Syndergaard’s career in his 49th appearance, making him the eighth pitcher in Mets history to reach the mark in fewer than 50 games.

Samardzija (10-9) was pulled after the seventh inning, having allowed two runs on three hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

The duel came from two pitchers who had a history of struggles against their opponent.

Syndergaard entered the game with a 6.17 ERA against the Giants in two previous starts, having been roughed up for eight runs in 11 2/3 innings in a pair of home games. He never previously pitched at AT&T Park.

Samardzija had been 0-3 with an 8.72 in nine previous outings against the Mets.

James Loney and Rene Rivera had the only other hits for the Mets, who out-hit the Giants 4-3.

NOTES: San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy announced, as expected, the Giants will skip their fifth starter on Monday’s day off and start their three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night with ace LHP Madison Bumgarner. … Mets manager Terry Collins has opted not to do the same on his club’s day off Monday. He will stick with LHP Jonathon Niese to begin a three-game series in St. Louis on Tuesday. … Upon further review: LF Yoenis Cespedes’ first home run on Saturday was his 40th in 153 games as a Met, making him the fastest to 40 homers in club history. 1B Carlos Delgado (175 games) held the previous mark.

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