NEW YORK _ If this experiment works, if the Mets win a World Series for the first time since 1986, remember the blueprint they followed on Opening Day. For if this is indeed "The Year," the Mets revealed their method, thumping the Braves, 6-0, on an unseasonably pleasant Monday afternoon at Citi Field.
Noah Syndergaard, the ace of baseball's most electrifying rotation, tossed six scoreless innings before a blister on his finger ended his day. Then, the Mets exploded for six runs in the seventh inning, when they sent 11 men to the plate, the depth of their lineup proving too daunting against four overmatched Braves relievers.
A throng of 44,384 jammed Citi Field, the second-largest regular season crowd in the stadium's history. They roared as Lucas Duda cleared the bases with a three-run double, Wilmer Flores sneaked home to barely beat a strong throw from center, and Syndergaard smothered the Braves.
In six scoreless innings, Syndergaard allowed five hits, struck out seven and walked none. Twice, the Braves moved runners to third base with just one out. Twice, Syndergaard stranded the runner.
As he promised in spring training, Syndergaard threw nastier two-seam fastballs, a shift in his approach. But he relied on an old standby when he needed it _ a 94 mph slider _ which he used to whiff Nick Markakis to wiggle out of trouble in the fourth.
Syndergaard was pulled after 86 pitches when a blister popped up on the top of his middle finger. He is scheduled to pitch on regular rest on Saturday, with Robert Gsellman to make his season debut on Sunday.
However, if the blister proves to be a lingering issue, the Mets have the flexibility to flip Gsellman and Syndergaard.
Braves right-hander Julio Teheran continued his mastery of the Mets, tossing six scoreless innings of his own. The performance lowered his lifetime ERA against the Mets to 2.60. But when the bullpen took over in the seventh inning, the Mets roared to life.
Flores reached on a fielder's choice, swiped second base, then scored the first run on Asdrubal Cabrera's single, his third hit of the day. The 1-0 lead came with the help of review.
Initially, home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg called Flores out when center fielder Ender Inciarte made a powerful throw home. But Braves catcher Tyler Flowers caught the ball in front of the plate rather than in front of it, which made the difference.
Review showed Flores got his right foot on the plate before Flowers lowered his mitt. It was the break the Mets needed to pile on. Curtis Granderson knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly. Jay Bruce worked a walk with the bases loaded to knock in a run.
And with the bases still full, Duda turned Opening Day into a rout. He lined a three-run double off Eric O'Flaherty, with the ball sailing over the head of Enciarte.
Right-hander Hansel Robles (1-0) earned the victory for working a scoreless inning in relief of Syndergaard. The Mets improved to 36-20 all-time on Opening Day, the best winning percentage in baseball.
