Mets 2, Reds 1
NEW YORK -- Rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard scattered five hits in a career-high eight innings and the New York Mets made the most of their two hits on Friday night in a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field.
The Mets (38-37) have won two straight despite scoring just four runs during that span. The Reds (34-38) lost for just the third time in their last nine games.
Right fielder Curtis Granderson homered leading off the first inning for the Mets, who didn't get another hit until second baseman Dilson Herrera tripled to center with two outs in the fifth and the score tied 1-1.
Herrera scored when Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto issued three straight walks, the last of which was drawn by first baseman Lucas Duda after he fell behind 0-2.
But that was enough for Syndergaard (3-4), who walked none and struck out five in his ninth career start. He threw 89 pitches, 65 for strikes.
The Reds scored in the second when right fielder Jay Bruce and catcher Brayan Pena led off the inning with singles. Bruce went to third when Pena was forced at second on a grounder by shortstop Eugenio Suarez and scored on left fielder Chris Dominguez's grounder to short.
Beginning with the Dominguez groundout, Syndergaard retired 19 of the final 22 batters he faced. He stranded a runner at third in the third inning when second baseman Brandon Phillips singled and stole second and third and in the eighth inning when Dominguez singled and advanced to third on two groundouts.
Right-hander Jeurys Familia picked up his 21st save with a perfect ninth.
Cueto, who was starting for the first time in nine days, fell to 4-5 after allowing two runs and two hits while walking three and striking out six.
NOTES: Before the game, a moment of silence was held for former Mets co-owner Nelson Doubleday Jr. and former Mets outfielder Darryl Hamilton. Doubleday died of pneumonia at age 81 on June 17. Hamilton was killed in a murder-suicide on Sunday. ... Mets general manager Sandy Alderson confirmed that LHP Steven Matz will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Sunday's series finale and the Mets will go with a six-man rotation after his promotion. ... The Reds played a 14-inning, rain-delayed game in Pittsburgh on Thursday night and didn't arrive at their hotel until 4:17 a.m. ET Friday. ... Reds RHP Johnny Cueto batted eighth for the 24th time in his last 29 games. ... The ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by the New York Knicks' two first-round draft picks, Jerian Grant and Kris Porzingis.