LHP Steven Matz, put his first abysmal start behind him on Sunday, and delivered a dominating performance during the Mets’ 6-0 win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. After giving up seven runs in just 1.2 innings against the Miami Marlins in his previous start, Matz rebounded with a tremendous seven inning effort to help the team win their first series of the season.
“We needed a big start and we needed to get Steven going and he pitched great today,” manager Terry Collins said.
Matz, 24, put on a clinic against the Indians, tossing seven scoreless innings, while striking out a career-high nine batters. He allowed just three hits on the day and walked two, while throwing just 94 pitches before giving way to the bullpen.
Collins praised Matz and equated the previous outing’s uneven results due to the nine-day layoff in between his spring training finale and his first regular season appearance.
“He’s got great talent,” Collins told reporters. “I think the other day was certainly a matter of just not being out there very much.”
Matz got some big-time help before even taking the mound, as the Mets offense staked him to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.
“It was really nice getting those runs early,” Matz said. “I could just kind of relax and go out and pitch.”
Matz mowed down 12 of the final 13 batters he faced with ease, and later said he didn’t note any huge difference between this start and the last one other than the results. He lowered his ERA from 37.80 to 7.27.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel any different,” Matz said. “Last time I felt really good out of the gate. Today I felt good out of the gate. I was just able to carry it on.”
It was great to see Matz deliver the way he did on Sunday, and his seven innings spared the bullpen from another taxing effort.
You may remember that after his last start, the New York Post quoted an unnamed veteran scout who said that Matz needed to spend a month in the minors. I wonder what that scout has to say now?
