Syndergaard Ks 11, Conforto homers as Mets sweep Brewers

Noah Syndergaard struck out 11 in seven overpowering innings and Michael Conforto homered to help the New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Asdrubal Cabrera broke a fourth-inning tie with a two-run single that sent the Mets to their 12th victory in the last 16 home games. Next up, they visit NL East rival Washington for a rematch after the Nationals took two of three at Citi Field last week.

Conforto connected early off Chase Anderson (2-6), who took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning of his previous start against the Chicago Cubs and came within one out of a shutout. This time, he lasted five innings and was hurt by Ryan Braun's misplay in left field.

Back in the lineup after missing four games with a stiff back, Braun singled once in four at-bats. He got a bad break on Yoenis Cespedes' shallow looper in the fourth and let it bounce past him for a double that put runners at second and third.

One out later, Cabrera singled to put New York ahead.

Syndergaard (5-2) yielded six hits and an unearned run that followed David Wright's error at third base. He threw a season-high 109 pitches and won his third straight start, saving a taxed relief corps.

The big right-hander, who beat Milwaukee at home last May for his first major league win, mixed his 98-99 mph fastballs with effective off-speed stuff. He has gone 18 innings without issuing a walk.

"We need an outing today. Our bullpen's tired," Mets manager Terry Collins said before the game. "He's got to step it up and I know he will."

Jim Henderson tossed a scoreless eighth against his former team. Jeurys Familia, pitching for the third day in a row, earned his 15th save in as many tries.

Familia had two saves and a win in the series as the Mets came from behind in each game and completed their first three-game sweep of the Brewers since September 2008 in Milwaukee. It was New York's first home sweep of the Brewers since April 2002 at Shea Stadium.

Jonathan Lucroy had an RBI single in the first for the Brewers, and Hernan Perez got three hits. Alex Presley grounded into a game-ending double play.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: The team hadn't fully decided on the next step for LHP Will Smith (sprained right knee), though the Brewers were probably leaning toward a minor league rehab assignment over a simulated game, manager Craig Counsell said. "Either one doesn't change the time frame here," Counsell said. Smith threw batting practice Saturday at Citi Field. Without a setback, he's expected to be activated from the disabled list by the first week of June. ... 1B Chris Carter was rested in favor of Ramon Flores, who made his first major league appearance at first base. Normally an outfielder, Flores did play 50 games at first base in the minors and spent time there during spring training. He hit his first career home run Saturday and had three RBIs.

Mets: 1B Lucas Duda (back) missed his second straight game and fourth in the past six. He was examined by a doctor for the second consecutive day. ... Setup man Addison Reed and reliever Hansel Robles were unavailable due to heavy workloads of late.

UP NEXT

Brewers: The Brewers begin a three-game series at last-place Atlanta on Tuesday night with RHP Jimmy Nelson (4-3, 3.07 ERA) facing RHP Julio Teheran (1-4, 2.73).

Mets: On the eve of his 43rd birthday, Bartolo Colon (3-3, 3.75 ERA) starts Monday night in the series opener at Washington. On the mound for the Nationals is Mets nemesis Gio Gonzalez (3-1, 1.86), who beat Colon last week at Citi Field.

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