Noah Syndergaard struck out 12 for the slumping Mets, one short of his career high, and left with the score tied at 1 after seven innings but the Miami Marlins edged the New York Mets 2-1 on Tuesday night in a much-anticipated pitching matchup that mostly lived up to its billing.
Miami ace Jose Fernandez recovered from a shaky start and went five innings in a game pitting two of baseball's most electric young arms.
Derek Dietrich had an RBI single in his first start of the season for the Marlins, and pinch-hitter Martin Prado delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth against Jerry Blevins. Dee Gordon stole second base and scored the tiebreaking run after leading off with a single on the 16th pitch from Jim Henderson (0-1).
Phelps (2-0) fanned three in two hitless innings, and A.J. Ramos got three outs for his second save.
The NL champion Mets (2-5) have dropped four straight - all at home to division foes.