Stellar

Stellar is a term used by my WFAN colleague Joe Benigno to desribe something exceptonal. And there's no other way to describe the performance Jacob de Grom turned in yesterday. The Mets second year righthander froze out the NL Central-leading Cardinals. After surrending a first inning single, he retired the next 23 straight batters -- Matt Carpenter was the only man who stood behind him and the second no-hitter in Mets history -- for a badly needed 5-0 victory.
It's not surprising that a player turns in better stats at home, but de Grom is exceptionally good at Citi Field. The 2014 NL Rookie of the Year is 10-1 with a 1.19 ERA in his last dozen starts at Citi Field; in 16 career home games, the ERA is a still impressive 1.50. And while he was held hitless yesterday, de Grom is also one of the best hitting pitchers in the game.
The Mets are not a great team, they seem to be a bat or two short in the lineup. But one thing you have to admit: they have a bumper crop of talented young starting pitchers -- a tremendous foundation for the future.
(These images are from April 30th at Citi Fied against Washington.)

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