New York Mets southpaw, Steven Matz, has put that first start of the season in the rear view mirror and has not looked back. After allowing seven runs in 1.2 against the Miami Marlins on April 11th, Matz has righted the ship and on his way to a nice season if he continues going the way he is now.
Last night the Mets put up a franchise record 12 spot in the third inning for Mr. Matz and that was more than enough offense for him, as the team rolled to a 13-1 victory against the San Francisco Giants Friday night. Matz pitched six scoreless innings on the night, he allowed seven hits and three walks while striking out four. Steven matched a career high last night by tossing 110 pitches to get through his start to pick up his third consecutive win.
Matz did get himself into same jams last night, and he wiggled out of each of them without harm. In both the first and third innings he skirted from trouble by leaving two runners on base each time. Matz struggled with his command at times, throwing 24 pitches in just the first inning. He was able though to settle down to navigate through six innings in a blowout. Manager, Terry Collins was very pleased with his Poise, especially after the long delay he had due to the offensive explosion.
“You see a lot of young guys that go out there with that big lead and say, ‘I’m just going to throw my fastball,’” Collins said. “He didn’t do that. He tried to work both sides of the plate and he tried to pitch. That’s what impressed me about him.” (ESPN)
Steven sat through a 40-minute highlight reel of his offense scoring 12 runs in just one inning. He threw a bit in the cage below the dugout to try and keep warm for whenever the bottom of the third may start. Matz also used a massage machine to keep his arm loose. He had no worries coming back out after the long delay.
“I felt really good coming back out,” Matz said. “I made a couple of stupid walks there, but I felt ready and felt like I was able to keep my rhythm.”
It wasn’t the greatest of conditions to pitch in last night. Rain poured down throughout the night, not enough to delay the game, but enough to annoy while attempting to play.
“It was a tough night to pitch. But our starting pitching is starting to get on a roll,” Collins said. “We can ride that starting pitching a long time. And even if you fall into those situations where you’re not scoring, they’re tough to score off of.”
Steven Matz is now 3-1 on the season and has lowered his ERA all the way down to 3.86 after starting with one of 37.80 after just one game. With Matz seemingly moving in the right direction, this staff is starting to roll as they march towards May.
