Matt Harvey got his first taste of facing major league batters yesterday when he replaced starter Dillon Gee in last night’s 3-1 loss to the Nationals and pitched two scoreless innings.
Before the game, manager Terry Collins was asked what he would be looking for from Matt Harvey and Collins responded “good command”.
What the Mets’ prized pitching prospect delivered however, hardly classified as that.
Despite not giving up any runs, thanks to an inning ending double play with the bases loaded, Harvey faced eight batters, walked three and hit a fourth with a pitch.
“I had a good first inning, and I just got behind and tried to nitpick in the second inning,” Harvey said after the game. “I just tried to be too fine”.
Added Collins: “He was nervous.”
Though you shouldn’t read too much into an early spring performance such as this one, it does indicate that Harvey will require some additional seasoning in the minors before he gets the ball at Citi Field.
