For New York Mets fans, the 2012 season has become near unwatchable. The offense is anemic. The bullpen is abysmal. And your daily Twitter conversations have become 140 character rants voicing our displeasure. While us fans do not have much to be excited about, the clubs seventh overall pick in the first-round of the 2010 Draft, Matt Harvey, has been the exception. During the clubs 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night, Harvey’s talents were on full display, tossing the best start of his brief career. The 23-year-old rookie took a perfect game into the fifth inning, retiring the first 12 batters he faced before plunking Ryan Ludwick to start the frame. After striking out the next two batters he faced, Scott Rolen broke up the no-hit bid with a swinging bunt to second base. The right-hander escaped the frame unscathed and tossed a perfect sixth inning before allowing a lead-off double to Brandon Phillips to start the seventh. After inducing a come-backer to the mound, Jay Bruce knocked an RBI double to right, giving the Reds their first run of the game. No further damage was done in the frame and with 75 pitches under his belt, manager Terry Collins sent the youngster out to start the eighth. Harvey allowed a lead-off single before retiring Miguel Cairo and Zack Cozart, but was relieved by Bobby Parnell after walking Drew Stubbs. The 7 2/3 innings were the longest of his brief career, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out eight, en route to his second big league victory:
Harvey, who walked five batters in his last start versus Atlanta and 12 over his first 22 1/3 innings, told reporters he “absolutely” improved since making his Major League debut just three weeks ago:
“I wasn’t too happy with my last outing, walking so many, so today I wanted to pound the zone and I was able to do that. From the first inning, from the get-go, I wanted to attack. I’m happy with 7 2/3. There are still things that I need to work on but I’m pretty happy.”
Harvey has become one of the few reason us Mets fans have for tuning into the SNY these days. Not only because we want to see what the youngster is made of, but because at 23-years-old he gives the club a chance to win. While I was very impressed with his ability to to toss six innings in his last start, when it seemed all but certain he would not make it past four innings, tonight’s start versus the Reds was easily his best. I think manager Terry Collins is right when he says we saw a glimpse of what the future could hold for Harvey, saying:
“What you saw tonight was a little taste of what this guy’s going to be able to do. When he’s got the command going like he did tonight, everything working, he’s going to be tough to hit.”
Over his brief Major League career, Harvey is 2-3 with 34 strikeouts allowing ten earned runs over 30 innings of work:
Original Story:
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August 17, 2012
