Following his historic MLB debut, Steven Matz dominated again during his second start. He tossed six shutout innings against the first place Dodgers while allowing only two hits and striking out eight.
“This guy has got outstanding stuff. You saw it today,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “He’s got three ‘plus’ pitches. He throws strikes. He doesn’t beat himself. He’s a great athlete. He fields his position. He handles the bat. He’s going to be really good.” (Adam Rubin, ESPN NY)
“After his last start, he was a little stiffer than we liked,” Collins said. “
“Pitching coach Dan Warthen had him throw between starts and he had a little stiffness still. So we said the other day we’re going to have to back him down tonight. So we said about 100 pitches, and that’s where he got us to. … He’s fine, as you saw. That’s what that first start does to you — all of that adrenaline and trying to overthrow a little bit.”
Matz has been even better than advertised since getting the call to the majors. His ERA stands at an outstanding 1.32, and he now joins Dick Selma (1965), Gary Gentry (’69), Roger McDowell (’85) and Mike Pelfrey (2006) as the only pitchers in Mets’ history to win two games in their first two appearances.
His 5 RBI is also tied for the most by a player in his first two games as a Met. Matz drove in a run yesterday with a RBI ground out in the 4th inning.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been great. It’s been a good learning experience so far. I’m going to keep on learning and try to get better.”
