Remembering Mets History (2015): Thor Shines In The NLCS

Sunday October 18th, 2015: NLCS Game #2- Citi Field Queens, New York

The Mets were flying high after taking the 1-0 series lead, as 44,502 crowded into Citi Field for a cold Sunday night October game.

Terry Collins sent another one of his pitching studs to the mound, as Noah Syndergaard (9-7 / 3.68 ERA / 166 Ks) went up against Chicago's possible Cy Young winner; Jake Arrieta (22-6 / 1.77 ERA / 236 Ks)

The Mets got to the Cubs ace right off the bat. Curtis Granderson singled to right field (his tenth hit of the post season) & David Wright hit a long double over centerfielder Dexter Fowlers head.


 It was just Wrights second hit of the post season, his first since Game #1 of the NLDS. Then the MVP of New York City over the past couple of weeks stepped in & did it again. Daniel Murphy hit a HR to right field putting the Mets up 3-0.

The last time Arrieta allowed three runs in an inning was back in July, also the last time he suffered a loss. Tonight at Citi he had no idea what hit him!

Trivia: It was Murph's fourth straight post season game with a HR, a Mets record. It was his 5th post season HR tying Mike Piazza for another Mets post season record. Murph did it in seven games where as it took Piazza 22 games to do it- Amazing! Murph now has ten hits, eight RBI's & seven runs scored this post season. He capped off his night with an 8th inning single as well.

Murph has had one of the best seven game post season spans in MLB history, while doing it off some of the games best pitchers.

In the home 3rd, Curtis Granderson continued his consistent solid play. He drew a walk & then stole second as well as third base. Remember this is a Mets team that was last in stolen bases, they stole four bases in the first two NLCS games.

After Arrieta intentionally walked Murphy, Yoenis Cespedes singled in the hole at short stop & Granderson scampered home with his second run scored. 4-1 Mets.

Back in the 2nd, "the Grandyman" made a leaping catch stealing a HR away from Chris Coughlan. He has done it all, everywhere on the field.



Tonight on the mound for the Mets it was Noah Syndergaard's turn to show off his stuff. In the 1st he started out the game with a strike out & ended the inning striking out Anthony Rizzo.

In the 3rd he gave up a walk but also struck out the rest of  the batters in the inning. Thor then rolled through the next two inning, retiring the sides in order with two more K's.

In the 6th he gave up two hits including an RBI double to Chris Bryant. Terry Collins came out & removed him, as he exited to a huge ovation. Noah went 5.2 innings, one run on three hits, one walk & nine strike outs.

Jonathon Niese made his first post season appearance & struck out
Anthony Rizzo to end any hope of a Chicago threat.

The Mets got good relief efforts from, Addison Reed & Tyler Clippard leading the way for Jeruys Familia. In the 9th the Cubs got a base runner, after Familia did not cover first on a bouncer to Lucas Duda.

It was just the second hit he allowed in this post season.  Familia closed out the Cubs & got the save.

Trivia: Familia now has the most saves in Mets post season history (4) passing Tug McGraw, Billy Wagner & Armando Benitez.

Mets win 4-1 taking a commanding two nothing series lead, on their way to Wrigley Field with Jacob deGrom looming......................................



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