Despite being outhit twelve to two, the Mets tied the Astros with three runs apiece this afternoon in West Palm Beach. It was a marquee pitching matchup, with Noah Syndergaard taking on Justin Verlander and both pitchers appeared to be close to midseason form already. Jeff McNeilmade Verlander work in the very first at-bat of the game, but ultimately flew out to center on a 3-2 pitch and Verlander cruised from there, not allowing a hit in his two innings of work and throwing 20 of his 25 pitches for strikes. Syndergaard worked out of some trouble in the first, when George Springer led off the inning with a single. Jeff McNeil showed off some range at his new position in left field to make a running grab on a fly ball in the gap off the bat of Jose Altuve. Springer stole second and Josh Reddickknocked a single up the middle to put runners at the corners. Reddick attempted to follow suit, but was caught stealing, with Dilson Herrera making a nice tag, bringing the ball back across his body from the third base side. Syndergaard then induced a pop-up from Yuli Gurriel that was handled by Pete Alonso to end the inning. Read more https://www.amazinavenue.com/2019/2...ing-recap-syndergaard-thompson-alonso-broxton
