The Mickey Callaway Mets got another boost of morale on Tuesday with a nearly perfect pitching performance from the happy and healthy Matt Harvey.
After suffering through two subpar seasons filled with injuries and uncertainties, the resilient right hander returned to the rubber allowing one hit and a walk over five spotless innings in his much anticipated debut.
Harvey’s heat, clocked at 91-93 mph, may have been mild compared to his heydays, but his command kept the Phillies at bay, and for the first time in what has seemed like forever, he showed shades of his dominate self.
“He looked really good. He didn’t have his best stuff, as you could see, but he looked good. Confidence is there,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “I think he can be very effective. I think he is going to throw 96 (mph). … I think if it were a warm summer day, you would have seen a little bit more velo out of him. But he really did a good job.”
Crosstown convert Todd Frazier continued his torrid hitting with a run-scoring double in the sixth, and Travis d’Arnaud added some insurance with a two-out RBI single that booted Philly starter Ben Lively.
It’s unfortunate that the offense came up a couple of batters shy of securing the win for Harvey, but with the new and improved coaches in place, 85 pitches were plenty.
Jerry Blevins rescued AJ Ramos’ relief efforts, retiring Odubel Herrera on a pop up after the former Marlin yielded a bunt single and a walk. Seth Lugo pitched two perfect innings, striking out four, and Jeurys Familia staved off a Philadelphia rally, getting Andrew Knapp on a ground out to third with the tying runs on base.
