Prior to today’s game, the Mets will recall RHP Collin McHugh from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League…McHugh will wear #36 and make his second major league start today.
McHugh made his major league debut on August 23 vs. Colorado tossing 7.0 shutout innings in a no-decision. He allowed only two hits while fanning nine to become only the fifth pitcher in modern major league history (since 1900) to record nine or more strikeouts while giving up no runs and two or fewer hits in his first major league game. The other pitchers to debut in that fashion:
The young right-hander went 7-9 with a 2.91 ERA (48 earned runs/ 148.1 innings) in 25 minor league starts between Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League and Buffalo (AAA) this year. He racked up 135 strikeouts and allowed 123 hits and 46 walks.
McHugh’s nine strikeouts were the second most in franchise history for a pitcher making his major league debut. Matt Harvey fanned 11 on July 26 earlier this season at Arizona. Before this year, Tom Seaver (July 13, 1967 vs. Pittsburgh) and Bill Denehy (April 16, 1967 at Philadelphia) held the record with eight strikeouts.
McHugh also became the third pitcher in team history to throw at least 7.0 scoreless innings in his debut and first since Masato Yoshii on April 5, 1998 vs Pittsburgh. Dick Rusteck threw a four-hit complete game in his debut on June 10, 1966 to beat the Reds, 5-0 at Shea Stadium.
