Syndergaard, Mets edge Cueto, Reds for 2nd win in 9 games

NEW YORK (AP) -- Noah Syndergaard pitched eight sharp innings and the light-hitting New York Mets got exactly the help they needed when Johnny Cueto suddenly lost the strike zone, edging the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 Friday night.

The Mets returned home from a 1-7 road trip in which they totaled 11 runs, and won despite getting just two hits. Curtis Granderson launched a leadoff homer into the second deck on Cueto's third pitch.

The Reds lost for the third time in nine games. They got to their New York hotel at 4:17 a.m. after a rain-delayed, 13-inning win at Pittsburgh.

It was 1-all in the fifth when Dilson Herrera tripled with two outs. Cueto (4-5), pitching with eight days' rest to give his aching right elbow some extra rest, hadn't walked a batter all game until walking Granderson, Eric Campbell and Lucas Duda to force home the go-ahead run.

Duda had already struck out twice, and had fanned 10 times in 15 career at-bats against Cueto, before hanging in after two quick strikes. Catcher Brayan Pena twice went to the mound to talk to Cueto once the count went full.

Syndergaard (3-4) gave up five singles, walked none and struck out five in his longest outing in the majors. The rookie hit 99 mph with his fastball in the first inning and won for the first time in five starts.

The Mets' infield backed him all night. Shortstop Wilmer Flores, third baseman Ruben Tejada and Herrera at second and Duda at first each made nice plays, and catcher Kevin Plawecki caught a runner trying to steal.

Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances.

Mets manager Terry Collins said before the game that Granderson might be able to ignite the team. He was right, as Granderson hit his 32nd career leadoff home run and fourth this season.

The Reds tied it in the second when Jay Bruce and Pena opened with singles, setting up an RBI grounder by Chris Dominguez.

Brandon Phillips singled in the third, and has hit safely in all 30 games he's played on the road against the Mets.

The loss left Cincinnati 148-148 when visiting the Mets over the years at the Polo Grounds, Shea Stadium and Citi Field.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Reds: All-Star C Devin Mesoraco will have surgery in New York on Monday to fix an impingement in his left hip. He hasn't caught since April 12 and has been on the disabled list since May 25.

Mets: 3B Tejada exited soon after being hit in the left elbow by a pitch from Cueto. X-rays were negative, and Tejada has a bruise.

UP NEXT

Reds: Rookie RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-2, 3.56) has won two straight starts. He's allowed more than three runs just once in nine big league starts.

Mets: RHP Matt Harvey (7-5, 3.18) has given up a total of one run in his last two outings. That followed a string of four rough starts in a row.

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