With the Mets dropping the first two games of the series against the Cubs, Matt Harvey responded by delivering an outstanding performance.
Harvey tossed seven shutout innings while allowing only three hits and striking out nine batters.
However, Harvey’s dominant effort wasn’t enough to win as the bullpen blew a 1-0 lead late in the game.
“Everybody wanted to win that game,” Harvey later said. “We’re going to put up runs. We’re in a little bit of a rut right now. Obviously everybody goes through that. Tomorrow is the first day to come out of it.”
Harvey was pulled from the game after throwing 100 pitches in the 7th inning, but he understood Terry Collins‘ decision to take him out.
“I was fine to stay in,” Harvey said. “I think the game plan going into the season was to keep everything around 100. I think if I had a quicker seventh, with a little bit less pitches, it might have been a different story. I think it’s one of those calls you need to make as a manager. Nine times out of 10 it’s going to work, and tonight it just didn’t.”
Thoughts:
Harvey deserved a better outcome last night, but his excellent beginning to the season is a fantastic sign.
Harvey has quieted all doubts about his ability following Tommy John Surgery. His stats through seven starts this season is almost identical to his incredible 2013 campaign. Harvey is 5-1 this year with a 2.31 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
In 2013, Harvey was 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.
