Matt Harvey looked like he shed some of his bad mojo during his Mothers Day start against the San Diego Padres. He went six strong innings, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out ten. Through the first four innings he was sensational, he struck out seven and the only hit he gave up was a bunt single from the opposing starter Andrew Cashner.
Harvey’s only struggles were centered around the dreaded fifth inning. Padres’ catcher Christian Bethancourt launch a no doubter to left, off of a Matt Harvey fastball. Later in the inning, a questionable call from a play at the plate went the way of Matt Harvey, settling him down for an easy sixth inning, ending his day.
“I finally felt, the majority of the game, a lot more comfortable,” Harvey told reporters after the game. “I was able to pound the zone, was able to throw all of my pitches. Unfortunately there in the fifth I left one over the middle. Other than that, it was a successful day.”
Since the start of this season, Matt Harvey has struggled with his velocity. His fastball averaged in the low 90s and his command was inconsistent. “Right now, I’m not feeling good with my mechanics. I’m not feeling good throwing the ball,” Harvey said after his last start.
Well, whatever it was, Harvey must’ve hit the nail on the head because he was a step under sensational Sunday afternoon. Harvey’s average fastball was 95 mph while maxing out at 97 mph to strike out second baseman Adam Rosales in the 3rd inning.
It wasn’t only his fastball that showed major improvements today, Harvey struck batters out with his entire arsenal. Four with his fastball, three with his changeup, two with his curve, and one with the world famous Warthen slider.
“Mechanically I felt great,” Harvey added. “Definitely different than the last couple starts.”
If Matt Harvey can be consistent in his next couple of starts, The Dark Knight mantra that Harvey once embraced, will be back in full force.
His next start will most likely come in the hitter friendly Coors Field against the 3rd place Colorado Rockies. Matt Harvey is 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA in his career against the Rockies.
