Mets Griffin Canning showed complete control in impressive birthday outing

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Griffin Canning celebrated a rare trifecta on Sunday.All in one, it was his birthday, his mother’s birthday, and Mother’s Day.

Canning celebrated in the best way possible, with a strong performance for the Mets (with his mom Julie in attendance) in their 6-2 victory over the Cubs at Citi Field.The right-hander allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk over six innings with five strikeouts.Canning, who has allowed one earned run or less in his past five starts, saw his ERA drop to 2.36.Canning, who turned 29, set the tone by striking out the first three batters he faced: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki.“I felt pretty good with everything,” Canning said.

“Two of those strikeouts were changeups [after] a fastball up and away to Armstrong.It was pretty much a full mix from the start.”The only blemish against Canning was the homer Crow-Armstrong delivered in the sixth to tie it 1-1.

Canning retired 18 of the 21 batters he faced overall.“I thought he had everything going today,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.“It starts with the fastball, especially at the top [of the strike zone] to get swings and misses.

And we know how good the changeup and the slider are and all three pitches I thought he was in complete control of the game today.Pretty solid outing there.”Canning’s best work has occurred at Citi Field, where he is 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA this season.

In each of his five starts in Queens, he’s allowed only one earned run.“I have fit in well with these guys over here,” said Canning, who arrived on a one-year deal worth $4.25 million after pitching to a 5.19 ERA in 32 appearances (31 starts) last season with the Angels.“Everyone on and off the field … medical staff, nutritionist, all these guys have been helpful.” Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on S...