The excitement of the Mets 7-6 Harvey Day victory over the Marlins–their eighth straight win–was soured by the news of significant injuries to both Jerry Blevins and Travis d’Arnaud.
Blevins, who came on to relieve Matt Harvey in the seventh, was struck with a comebacker and would be taken out of the game, later diagnosed with a left forearm fracture. In the bottom half of the inning, d’Arnaud was struck by a pitch on his right hand and would be pulled from the game. Soon thereafter, it was announced that d’Arnaud too suffered a fracture.
After the game, Sandy Alderson told reporters that Hansel Robles and Kevin Plawecki would be called up to replace the injured pair. Terry Collins said in his postgame press conference that Plawecki would be the starting catcher if he were to be promoted.
Collins also said that both Blevins and d’Arnaud will be evaluated at the Hospital for Special Surgery Monday. There is presently no timetable for their return.
Earlier this week, the fanfare of a Harvey outing was also eclipsed by an in-game injury to a key player. In the young ace’s 2015 home debut, David Wright suffered a strained hamstring while attempting to steal second base and was soon after placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Harvey himself overcame sickness today in order to complete his six plus innings of work. Although Harvey earned the win today to improve to 3-0 on the year, his velocity was down a hair and looked hitable at times. Collins said at one point this morning there was a chance that Harvey wasn’t going to make his start because of his illness. Harvey said after the game that he felt weak and has been unable to swallow. Nevertheless, Harvey managed to work into the seventh, surrendering four runs on eight hits while striking out seven.
The 26-year-old captured his fifteenth career win in part due to the Mets lineup providing some much-needed run support.
After being retired in order for the first three innings, the Mets bats came alive the second time around the batting order in the form of a near 30-minute long hit parade in the fourth in which the Mets scored seven runs and sent 12 men to bat. With three runs already plated and the bases loaded, Ruben Tejada broke the game open with a bases-clearing double to left center, making it a 6-1 lead. d’Arnaud would later drive Tejada in on his second base hit of the frame.
The seven-run fourth was the largest run total in an inning for New York since July 2, 2013 when the Mets tallied seven times in the seventh inning of a 9-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field.
With the win, the Mets improved to 10-3 on the season, having set a franchise record by winning their first seven home games. The hot start also tied the franchise mark for best start through 13 games. The 1986 and 2006 teams were both 10-3 through 13 games.
Having finished their first-ever four-game sweep of the Marlins, the Mets will have a day off Monday before opening up a three-game set with the Atlanta Braves Tuesday. Jon Niese will have the start, squaring off against Trevor Cahill at Citi Field at 7:10pm.
