Mets vs. Royals Recap: The victory is nice, but injuries bring down the mood

The Mets beat the Royals today 4-3, sweeping the two-game series and taking the season series 3-2. As mentioned on the SNY broadcast, barring a World Series meeting, the Mets and Royals will not meet again until the 2019 season.

Noah Syndergaard started for the Mets, and was not as sharp as we’ve come to expect—for reasons that became apparent after the game. Syndergaard gave up a solo home run to Cheslor Cuthbert and a run-scoring single to Whit Merrifield, both in the fifth inning, and then gave up a run-scoring single in the sixth, which was aided by a wild pitch. He struck out four, but his fastball was a full two or three miles per hour slower than we’ve seen throughout the season, hitting 96 more regularly than 99.

Danny Duffy started for the Royals and looked good through the first four innings, only giving up one run, an RBI single by James Loney that took an excellent slide by Asdrubal Cabrera to score. But in the fifth, Cabrera hit his second home run in as many days, giving the Mets a 3-2 lead.

Cabrera had a fine day in the field as well, turning two double plays and making some nice running plays that belie his limited range.

After the Royals tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth, reliever Joakim Soria gave up a solo home run to Matt Reynolds, the first of his major league career. It was quite a day for Reynolds, who got his first professional start in left field (or anywhere in the outfield, for that matter), and who made a few nice plays, including a near-assist in the sixth inning when he just missed throwing out Salvador Perez at second base.

In that same half inning, Yoenis Cespedes winced after a swinging strike and was later removed from the game due to “left wrist discomfort.” We don’t know much beyond that phrase, but he was being examined by a doctor, so his appearance in tomorrow’s lineup is doubtful.

After pitching the sixth inning, Syndergaard left the game, a departure which, at the time, seemed like it was because he was nearing the 100-pitch mark. After the game, it was revealed that his elbow “flared up” during the game, and he, too, would be seeing a team doctor.

Jerry Blevins entered in the seventh en route to his 21st-consecutive scoreless appearance. Addison Reed followed, and despite giving up a single and a fielder’s choice, made it through the eighth unscathed.

Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down his 24th-consecutive converted save attempt this season.

While the results of the game were obviously pleasing, if the Mets are without Syndergaard or Cespedes for any extended amount of time this year, their path to the postseason looks far more dire.

The Mets now travel to Atlanta tonight for a four-game set against the Braves.