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VIDEO: Mets' Matz surrenders home run in 1st career plate appearance

Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Steven Matz, the highly touted left-hander selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2009 draft, didn't enjoy the most auspicious start to his MLB career Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.

Recalled to start the second installment of Sunday's doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds, the 24-year-old opened the game against veteran Brandon Phillips and promptly allowed a home run to the first batter he ever faced in the bigs (albeit one that needed a replay review).

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Phillips, by the way, entered Sunday's finale with just one home run in his last 21 contests while posting an .085 isolated power this season, the 20th-lowest mark among qualified hitters and a career-low for the 34-year-old.

In 14 starts and one relief appearance from Triple-A Las Vegas, meanwhile, Matz allowed just six home runs across 90 1/3 innings (0.6 per nine) despite plying his trade in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Welcome to the big leagues, kid.

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