Steven Matz and the New York Mets were ready to welcome the southpaw back to the rotation with open arms as they took on the Minnesota Twins in a 3-2 win. Matz performed well in his return to the rotation for the Metropolitans.
Matz, 28, tossed just four innings in Minnesota on Tuesday while allowing two runs on five hits as he walked one and struck out two. Steven tossed just 68 pitches in his return and was on a limited pitch count of 75 entering the night.
The southpaw surrendered a scorcher of a home run to Jonathan Schoop in the third inning and a second run on a Max Kepler ground out in the fourth before exiting. Minnesota was hitting Matz hard prior to handing over the ball to the bullpen.
“I definitely wasn’t as sharp as I’d like to be, but I felt great out there,” Matz said. “I felt comfortable. I was attacking guys, so it was good.” (MLB)
It was a step in the right direction for Matz as he looks to get back on track and solidify himself as one of the cogs of this starting rotation. With Zack Wheeler and Jason Vargas possibly on their way out of New York come the trading deadline, the Mets will need to lean on Matz.
Matz’s stats have left a bit to be desired this season as his record sites at 5-6 with an ERA of 4.87 and a WHIP of 1.48. He has accumulated a FIP of 5.43 and a WAR of just 0.1.
He has put together a 8.47 K/9 and a 3.18 BB/9 in 85 innings pitched in 2019.
