Griffin Canning’s Special Day

Griffin Canning had quite a Sunday, to say the least. It was a day filled with celebrations; not only was it his birthday, but it was also his mother’s birthday and Mother’s Day.

The moment was made even more special as he showcased a strong performance against the Mets, leading them to a 6-2 victory over the Cubs at Citi Field, with his mother, Julie, cheering him on from the stands.

In six innings, Canning allowed two hits, recorded five strikeouts, and gave up just one walk while contributing a run himself. His recent form has been impressive, with an ERA now sitting at 2.36 after allowing less than one run in his last five outings.

At 29 years old, Canning set a focused tone right from the start by striking out the first three batters he faced: Pete Crow Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki.

“I felt pretty good about everything,” Canning reflected. “Two of those strikeouts were ChangeUps after a Fastball up to Armstrong. It felt like a solid mix from the beginning.”

The only blemish on his outing came from a homer by Crow Armstrong, which tied the game at one. Overall, Canning managed to retire 18 of the 21 batters he faced.

“He had everything working today,” praised coach Carlos Mendoza. “It all starts with his fastball, especially up in the zone, making batters swing and miss. He had complete control today; it was a solid outing.”

At Citi Field, Canning has been particularly dominant—he’s now 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA this season and has allowed just one run in each of his five starts at this venue.

“I really gelled with the team here,” Canning mentioned, reflecting on his one-year, $4.25 million contract after a season with a 5.19 ERA with the Angels. “There’s so much support—from the medical staff to nutritionists; it all plays a role.”

Interestingly, Canning noted that it was the first time his mother had seen him pitch live for the Mets. “I’m really glad she made it out,” he added with a hint of warmth.