Mets Morning News: Syndergaard strike out thirteen, Mets two games back in division and Wild Card

Meet the Mets

Noah Syndergaard struck out thirteen Diamondbacks last night at Citi Field and gave up just one run in eight innings of work. That, combined with losses by the Cubs and Nationals, and back-to-back home runs from Lucas Duda and Michael Cuddyer in the first inning, puts the back just two games back of the division lead and the second Wild Card spot in the National League.

Choose your recap: Amazin' Avenue long and short, Newsday, Daily News, Post, Record, MLB.com, Star-Ledger, Times, or ESPN.

Syndergaard's shrug after one of those strikeouts is basically the best.

"This pitch, I like it. ANOTHER!" #Thorsday pic.twitter.com/VANNzzlXUy

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) July 11, 2015

Jeurys Familia gave up a run in his appearance last night but came through with the save. He did fall short, however, in the final vote for the All-Star Game.

Brian Costa writes about the Mets' lack of depth on certain parts of the roster.

During his press conference about Steven Matz yesterday, Sandy Alderson sounded pretty committed to not trading any of his major league starting pitchers. Matz might be out a while.

Around the NL East

The Phillies are really bad, and when Cole Hamels doesn't pitch well, that description is a little bit of an understatement. They lost to the Giants 15-2 yesterday.

The Marlins were shut out in a loss to the Reds (#MarlinsTakeover). Mat Latos got hit by a ball and was scratched. but Jose Fernandez is back, writes Fish Stripes, which probably qualifies as the only good Marlins news of the past month.

Speaking of losses by the Mets' division rivals, the Nationals were beaten by their local rivals, the Orioles.

And the Braves lost, too, which means the Mets were the only team in the division to win yesterday.

Around MLB

Brian Dozier, who the Mets were stumping for alongside Jeurys Familia in the All-Star Game final vote, hit his second walk-off home run of the week as the Twins came back from a 6-1 deficit in the ninth inning with seven runs to beat the Tigers.

Like Familia, Dozier did not win the final vote. Mike Moustakas of the Royals—surprise—will represent the American League, and Carlos Martinez will be on the National League team.

The perfect baseball games is 19 hours long and has lots of crying, writes Jon Bois.

Yesterday at AA

The latest episode of the pod is up for your listening pleasure.

Cuddyer's knee injury won't put him on the disabled list but is something he will have to manage. And Jerry Blevins still can't throw.

TRAID RUMORZ abound, as the Padres might be scouting the Mets' minors and the Mets and Brewers have reportedly talked about Jean Segura and Aramis Ramirez recently.

This date in Mets history

In 2006, the Mets had a whole bunch of All-Stars.