Brewers at Mets
The Milwaukee Brewers finally derailed the New York Mets' express train, ending their nine-game winning streak and handing them their first defeat since the third game of the season with a 5-1 victory on Saturday night. Visiting Milwaukee has a chance to send New York to its first series loss but must overcome ace Noah Syndergaard in the rubber match Sunday at Citi Field.
Having missed nearly the entire 2017 season due to a partially torn lat muscle, Syndergaard is struggling to regain the form that made each of the fireballing right-hander's home starts an event. The Mets had scored at least four runs on seven occasions during their nine-game run but were limited to three hits and suffered their second loss - both by 5-1 counts. “It never feels good to lose but I think we were playing the game the right way," New York manager Mickey Callaway told reporters. "We have to tip (our) cap to their pitchers tonight." Milwaukee scored all its runs via the long ball in Friday's 6-5 loss and rode that same formula in the streak-busting victory, getting a three-run blast from Jonathan Villar and solo shots from Jeff Bandy and Orlando Arcia.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacín (0-1, 6.59 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-0, 3.94)
Chacin has as many walks as strikeouts (seven) through his first three starts and has failed to make it through five innings in two of them. He made his second consecutive start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday and lasted only 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision, allowing three runs on five hits. Chacin is 2-5 with a 6.10 ERA against the Mets and has been tormented by first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who is 8-for-22 against him.
Although he is unbeaten, Syndergaard has not been the dominant force Mets fans expect even though he did strike out 10 batters in an Opening Day win over St. Louis, when he allowed four runs on six hits. He threw 92 pitches in four innings versus Philadelphia in his second start and worked six innings of two-run ball for the win at Miami last time out. Syndergaard has won both starts versus the Brewers, striking out 16 in 13 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers LF Ryan Braun left Saturday's game due to back tightness.
2. Mets 2B Asdrúbal Cabrera went 0-for-4, halting his 11-game hitting streak.
3. Brewers C Manny Pina (calf) has missed three straight games and is expected to sit out the series finale.