Ian Kennedy threw six strong innings and outpitched rookie sensation Noah Syndergaard, lifting the San Diego Padres to a 7-2 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Kennedy (3-5) broke a four-start losing streak as he held the Mets to two runs and six hits.
Syndergaard (2-3) flashed enough quality pitches to strike out 10 but the Padres reached the righty for seven runs and 10 hits in four innings. It was Syndergaard's shortest of his five career starts.
Derek Norris hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Alexi Amarista and Will Venable drove in two runs each in a four-run second inning.
Syndergaard had allowed two earned runs in his last 19 1/3 innings while walking one and striking out 16 in his last three starts.
Kennedy had struggled mightily in his last four starts, allowing 20 runs and 24 hits — seven homers — over 19 1/3 innings for a 9.31 ERA.
They both did a complete turnaround Tuesday night.
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Kennedy allowed an RBI single to Michael Cuddyer in the first inning but then gave up just two singles until the sixth. The right-hander struck out eight and walked two.
Syndergaard had his explosive fastball working from the beginning but the Padres hit him hard early.
San Diego loaded the bases in the second inning on three straight singles. Amarista followed with a soft line drive that tipped off the top of Snydergaard's glove, deflecting past second baseman Daniel Murphy and into right field, allowing two runs to score.
After a sacrifice, Venable lined a ball past first and into the right-field corner for a two-run triple and a 4-0 lead.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: 3B David Wright (spinal stenosis) said he will return this season but is unsure when. Wright, who has been receiving treatment in Los Angeles, traveled to San Diego to visit with teammates. ... 1B Lucas Duda returned to the starting lineup after missing Monday night's game after getting hit by a pitch on his right knee Sunday.
Padres: 1B Yonder Alonso (right shoulder bruise) was reinstated off the 15-day DL on Tuesday. ... CF Wil Myers (left wrist tendinitis) is scheduled to take batting practice Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Dillon Gee will make his first start since being placed on the 15-day DL on May 5 (right groin strain).
Padres: RHP James Shield (6-0) remains the only major league starter with double figure starts who has yet to lose a game. Shields is tied with three others having allowed a major league-high 15 home runs.
