How Noah Syndergaard's trust in Wilson Ramos paid off - New York Post

Noah Syndergaard didn’t have his personal catcher, his release point or his best stuff. But he had enough to help pitch the Mets to a series-clinching 4-3 win over Washington.

Despite pitching to Wilson Ramos instead of personal catcher Tomas Nido for the first time since June 15, Syndergaard allowed two runs in seven innings in a no-decision Saturday at Citi Field.

“Noah said let’s do it and he went out there and threw another seven innings of two-run ball. He was really battling his arm slot, but he grinded through it, and Ramos really helped him,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “They had a great game plan and executed it well. It takes selflessness to do special things and that’s what these guys are doing right now.”

After conceding two runs in a 29-pitch first inning, Syndergaard settled down to throw six straight scoreless frames, finishing with seven hits and two walks allowed.

“I was just having a hard time trying to find my release point on most pitches. It was pretty inconsistent for the most part,” Syndergaard said. “But [this] was one of those nights I didn’t give my most electric stuff, so I just had to go out there and battle and keep the team in the ballgame.”

After getting some encouragement from Ramos, and a third inning mound visit from pitching coach Phil Regan (“He just got my focus back to pitching,” Syndergaard said), Thor pounded the Nationals.

Syndergaard gave the Mets seven innings for a career-best sixth straight start — pitching to a 1.91 ERA over that span — and worked with Ramos for the first time since a five-run outing against the Cardinals on June 15 prompted his request for Nido.

“I thought we were on the same game plan, I was seeing the ball well,” Syndergaard said. “I just trusted the fingers he put down. I really trust his judgment when it comes to those hitters coming up to the plate.”

Washington relievers now hold a 9.37 ERA, with eight blown saves against the Mets this season. The Nationals’ bullpen has blown a save in each of their past five games at Citi Field.

“You can’t ride those waves. You can’t do that,” outfielder Adam Eaton said. “Your rock bottoms are going to continue to be around and if we’re worried about yesterday it’s not going to be good. [Jacob] deGrom doesn’t give a crap if we’re feeling sorry for ourselves.”

With J.D. Davis and Ramos’ back-to-back homers in the fourth inning, the Mets set a franchise record by hitting multiple home runs in eight straight games. The Mets have hit 22 home runs in that span.

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