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New York Mets Reaction: Matt Harvey Disappoints Yet Again With Worst Start Of Season

By
Jeremy Fialkow
-

The New York Mets winning streak ended at just two games, after the Dark Knight (Matt Harvey) failed to rise to the occasion, yet again.

  • New York Mets 5 (4-6)
  • Cleveland Indians 7 (5-4)
  • MLB, Final, Box Score
  • Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

The New York Mets lost to the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, to even up the three-game series at one a piece. In doing so, the Mets failed to extend their winning streak to three games, and thus, failed to get back to a .500 record.

The game was, essentially, the opposite of what happened during Friday’s game. Rather than the Mets getting out to an electric start, it was the Indians battering Matt Harvey on their way to grabbing a 7-1 lead.

After dropping down six runs, the Mets began to claw back, eventually cutting the deficit down from six, down to just two, thanks to a Yoenis Cespedes home run.

However, the rally fell short.

Dark Knight Falls

Matt Harvey had all the reason in the world to come out strong this season, and he’s been terribly disappointing.

Coming into today’s game, Harvey dropped his first two starts to the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies, leaving him at +4.00 ERA.

In his career in inter-league play Harvey’s played 9 games, winning three, losing toe, and with a stout 1.27 ERA.

Saturday, he didn’t help his cause.

His play was promising from the start, after he struck out the side on 10 pitches in the first. Through four innings, he was perfect, throwing just 38 pitches.

NYM_300_250_v1

Is the Dark Knight back, finally?

Sadly, no. After four, he began to fade, quickly.

In the fifth inning, Harvey delivered his first walk of the afternoon, then, allowed a run scoring double, for the Indians first hit of the afternoon, tying the score at one a piece.

After retiring 13 straight to start the game, Harvey allowed the next 4 of 5 batter to get a hit.

By the time the sixth inning rolled around, Harvey lost all control. First, a leadoff single. Next, a double in the to left center, giving the Indians a 3-1 lead. The next you know, that frisky Indians team had 8 of their last 11 batter reach base, and Cleveland was winning 5-1.

Harvey started 5-0 in 2015. Now, he sits at 0-3. He’s allowed at least three runs in a game for the third consecutive start for the first time in his career.

As of one out in the sixth inning:

Harvey was pulled after loading the bases with two outs in the sixth.

His final line: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. He now sits with a 5.71 ERA.

Batting good/bad?

The Metropolitan offense stayed hot, for the most part. Unfortunately, the fell just short in their coming bid, failing to dig themselves out the large hole Harvey left them in.

As with Harvey, from the start, things looked promising.

Curtis Granderson, he of the terrible beginning to the season (like many others), began with a leadoff homerun, giving his Mets a 1-0 lead, that wouldn’t last past four innings. Seven of Grandy’s 26 dingers last year were from the leadoff spot. It was his first of the year. In addition, he finished with two runs and a double.

In the 8th inning, after a Granderson double and David Wright walk, the Mets had runners on first and second, down 7-1. Then Cespedes brought everyone home with a monster shot to deep left, cutting the deficit to three.

That’s three homers for the suddenly-hot Cespedes in his last six games. He’s 4-9 in the series, with three extra-base hits. He’s now on pace to hit 49 homers, well worth the $27 million!

Following Yo’s bomb, Walker followed suit, with his second of the series, giving the Mets five runs to the Indians’ seven.

That would bring an end to the Mets rally.

Hopeful Tweet of the Night (on Matt Harvey)

Tweet of the Night

What’s Next?

Rookie LHP Steven Matz will take the mound tomorrow, looking to get his season on track. He was busted up by the Marlins, Monday, for seven earned runs, failing to reach two innings pitches.

The Mets will be without their captain, David Wright, who will get the day off for rest, while he (and the organization) treats his spinal stenosis suitably.

The game, Sunday, begins at 1:10 pm ET, broadcast on SNY and STOh.

NEXT: David Wright’s Hot Start Has Been The Best Part Of The New York Mets Disappointing Season

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Jeremy Fialkow
Jeremy Fialkow was born and raised in Miami, FLA, but currently studies at the University of Maryland. When he's not studying hard, he can be found supporting his sometimes hopeless NY teams: Knicks, Mets, Jets, and Isles. Your sympathy is appreciated.

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