Mets' Harvey surrenders go-ahead run in bullpen debut
After Zack Wheeler labored through four shaky innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Mets went to starter-turned-reliever Matt Harvey in his first relief appearance of 2018.
The Dark Knight's final line was neither great nor a train wreck, as he allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out a pair.
"He's taking it like a man. He wasn't excited about it. He's going to go out there and do the job," manager Mickey Callaway said, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Harvey's fastball velocity was right around his average from his previous three starts.
Matt Harvey's first relief outing is in the books:
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 25, 2018
2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 35 pitches. He topped out at 94.7 mph. #Mets pic.twitter.com/ccflZkcdyM
He started strong, retiring Marcell Ozuna on a ground ball before punching out Yadier Molina on three pitches. Back-to-back doubles to Dexter Fowler and Paul DeJong spoiled what looked to be an encouraging outing.
Harvey left Busch Stadium without speaking to the media after the game, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
The Mets recently demoted Harvey to a bullpen role, which he didn't exactly take well, after opening the season with an 0-2 record and 6.00 ERA through four starts. Prior to Tuesday, Harvey had only pitched out of the bullpen once in 105 appearances. He threw four innings in relief in a game against the Washington Nationals last September.
Harvey was on the hook for the loss as he left Tuesday's game after two innings, but the Mets tied it up in the eighth to give him a no decision (the Mets won 6-5 in 10 innings). It could have been worse, but it could have been better: the story of Matt Harvey's 2018 to date.