Harvey chased after back-to-back HRs in 1st start since suspension
For the most part, Matt Harvey's return to the mound after a team-imposed three-day suspension was unremarkable.
The New York Mets right-hander allowed only two earned runs through five innings before coming back to the mound for the sixth, having thrown nearly 100 pitches. It didn't go so well.
He gave up a single before back-to-back home runs to Eric Sogard and Orlando Arcia to push the Milwaukee Brewers' lead to 5-2. It was Sogard's first long ball of the season.
More concerning was his lack of command. He walked five batters over his five innings, which helped lead to the two earlier runs. His walk rate has been on the rise every season since missing 2014 with Tommy John surgery.
The beleaguered pitcher is not unaware of his struggles.
"I think overall my last three or four starts have been terrible, so obviously there is a lot of work to be done," he said postgame, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma.
Harvey's suspension following his absence for a game last Saturday has put him even further under the microscope. And for a profane glimpse into the minds of Mets fans, just search Twitter for the latest on Harvey.
With the Mets already beset by a bevy of injuries - the latest coming in the form of Jeurys Familia's blood clot - the team needs Harvey to be at his best to cling onto any hopes of competing in 2017.
His next start is currently slated for Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.