Mets at Phillies
Through all their ups and downs over recent years, the New York Mets have always been able to rely on one thing: dominating the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets stole a win from the Phillies in Friday's series opener and look to make it two straight over their National League East rivals when the teams continue a three-game set at Philadelphia on Saturday.
Michael Conforto hammered a two-run homer with one out in the top of the ninth inning and Devin Mesoraco followed with a solo shot as New York rallied against Phillies closer Hector Noris for a 3-1 triumph. It was just the second victory in the last 10 games for the Mets but their third win in as many tries against Philadelphia this season and their 41st in the last 60 meetings. New York now has a chance to pick up its first series victory of the month behind flamethrower Noah Syndergaard - who is 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA on the road - on Saturday. Odubel Herrera slugged a solo shot for the Phillies' lone run Friday night and he has reached base in 40 straight games, although the 26-year-old is 1-for-17 in his career against Syndergaard.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, PIX11 (New York), NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-1, 3.09 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (1-0, 0.71)
Syndergaard's shortest start of the year - a four-inning, two-run outing April 4 - came against Philadelphia, but he is 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA in seven career encounters. He completed at least six innings in for straight starts while posting a 3.20 ERA but has zero wins to show for it. Aaron Altherr is 1-for-9 against the 25-year-old Syndergaard, who has a 1.93 mark in three career outings at Citizens Bank Park.
Eflin followed up a solid season debut at Miami on May 1 with an even better outing against San Francisco at home Monday. He limited the Giants to four hits while striking out nine in 6 2/3 frames to pick up his first victory since Aug. 8 of last year. Eflin is 0-2 with a 4.41 ERA in three career starts versus the Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets RF Jay Bruce was placed on the paternity leave list Friday amid a series of roster moves.
2. Herrera is 12-for-21 with three home runs over his last six games to raise his league-leading average to .360.
3. Conforto has two homers and a double over his last three contests after going 14 straight games without an extra-base hit.