Noah Syndergaard had the Mets in control against the Giants, taking a 3-2 lead into the seventh. He got a quick out, then induced a grounder that could’ve ended the inning with a double play. Pete Alonso fielded it but didn’t take the smarter route—stepping on first and then throwing to second. Instead, the runners advanced, and only one out was recorded. With one out left in the inning, manager Mickey Callaway pulled Syndergaard to go to the bullpen. Syndergaard was furious. He wanted to finish the frame and wasn’t subtle about it. He tried to plead his case, but Callaway brought in Seth Lugo.
Lugo didn’t get it done. Longoria singled, moving the tying run to third. Belt followed with a double that tied the game, erasing Syndergaard’s shot at a win. By the time it was over, the Mets lost 9-3. Syndergaard had every reason to be upset. He dominated most of the night and was one pitch away from finishing his seventh. The bullpen didn’t back him up, and the decision to pull him aged badly. This was a chance to win a tight game that unraveled fast.