The situation can’t get any worse for the New York Mets, as today’s 7-5 loss to the Braves was worsened by a hammy injury to Yoenis Cespedes.
Matt Harvey, filling in for the injured Noah Syndergaard, couldn’t keep the New York Mets in the game today against former Queens favorite R.A. Dickey and the Atlanta Braves, completing a 1-7 homestand.- Final Score: Braves 7 (8-12), Mets 5 (8-13)
- W: R.A. Dickey (2-2)
- L: Matt Harvey (2-1)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Citi Field, Queens, New York
He’s G-Yo-ing Down
After hitting a double to the right-center field gap in the fourth inning, Yoenis Cespedes ran gingerly towards second base, coming up hopping and straddling his hamstring before reaching the bag.
Yoenis Cespedes left today's @Mets game with a hamstring pull pic.twitter.com/B2NXvydpBL
— MLB Roundup (@MLB_Roundup) April 27, 2017
The injury was so rough for Yo’ to walk on that he had to be helped into the dugout by Mets trainer Ray Ramirez and first base coach Tom Goodwin.
La lesión de Yoenis @ynscspds Céspedes #Mets pic.twitter.com/dhY6GaliEI
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) April 27, 2017
Today marked the second game back in the lineup for Cespedes after Mets manager Terry Collins decided to hold out the star Cuban left fielder recently because of a hamstring issue that wasn’t initially considered bad enough for a disabled list stint.
TC assuming Cespedes is going to the DL.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) April 27, 2017
Batman Himself Falters
Harvey struggled all day, as the Dark Knight allowed six earned runs on five hits, five walks and a strikeout over 4.1 innings tossed.
The pitch command was consistently questionable, with Harvey’s fastball velocity swaying anywhere from as low as 91 mph up to 96.
Matt Harvey is all over the place both with his velocity and location. He's walked three in the second as the Braves have opened a 2-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/HELov17YbU
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 27, 2017
A sharp drop in pitch speeds from the first to second innings of today’s day game has lead to early speculation from fans and media alike that something physically may have faltered with Harvey, as pitching coach Dan Warthen brought the righty into the clubhouse between innings at one point.
What Else to Know from Today
Jose Reyes had a big game at the plate and on the infield dirt today, as the switch-hitter went 2-for-3 with his first home run of the year, two RBIs and a walk.
During a bases loaded jam for Harvey, Reyes made two forceout throws to Travis d’Arnaud — one of which was a bare-handed play — as the Mets got out of the inning unscathed.
¡Por ahí va sin rumbo! Bombazo con mucho mangú en NY patrocinado por @lamelaza_7. #MLBDominicana https://t.co/g4bMXhhLJ9 ???? pic.twitter.com/chvoYBzjqv
— MLB Dominicana (@MLBDominicana) April 27, 2017
Neil Walker improved his 2017 average to .227 by going 3-for-4 today with two runs, a double and an RBI out of the five spot — a good guy to see hitting well with Cespedes likely on his way to the DL.
Southpaw Josh Smoker impressed over 2.2 innings of work after Harvey’s departure, striking out four and lowering his season ERA to 3.65. Addison Reed also struck out the side in a scoreless eighth, and Jeurys Familia allowed a run on two walks and a hit during the top of the final frame.
Although Jay Bruce did commit an error on a boot at first base during a double play opportunity, he also hit a double off Dickey out of the cleanup spot, while playing an overall solid game on the right side of the diamond.