Matt Harvey’s first start at Citi Field was subpar by his lofty standards, and Terry Collins wasn’t surprised because of how many great pitchers have told him how difficult the second start after a long layoff can be. But on Sunday against the Marlins, the Mets manager expects to see the Harvey he saw against the Nationals in the third game of the year, when he delivered six shutout innings and had pinpoint accuracy.
“His mechanics are too good, they’re just too repeatable,” Collins said before the Mets won their seventh straight game with a 5-4 victory over the Marlins on Saturday night. “I don’t think command’s ever going to be an issue with Matt Harvey.”
Not that Harvey pitched poorly against the Phillies on Tuesday. He allowed three runs on five hits and two home runs while striking out six in a 6-5 Mets victory.
“I think his command was OK, I just don’t think his stuff was plus-plus like it normally is,” Collins said.
Right-hander Vic Black (shoulder soreness/weakness) made his first appearance with Double-A Binghamton on Saturday, tossing a shutout inning. He began his rehabilitation with two appearances for Single-A St. Lucie earlier in the week.
However, before Black gets called up, he will need to pitch on back-to-back days and show he has his command, Collins said. So far, he has thrown every other day and walked two hitters in three innings.
“The reports are it’s coming, he’s looking good, he feels good,” Collins said. “But I think back-to-backs are going to be very critical for him and we have to make sure he’s throwing strikes. … When they me his command’s back, then he’ll be ready.”
The Marlins nearly got a run in the third inning Saturday after winning a challenge. With two outs and Adeiny Hechavarria on second, Dee Gordon rolled a grounder toward shortstop. Wilmer Flores appeared to take his time on the throw, but Gordon was called out. Mets first baseman Lucas Duda, seeing Hechavarria heading home, threw to catcher Travis d’Arnaud at the plate. But because first base umpire Sean Barber signaled an out at first, d’Arnaud never made a play on Hechavarria. After the call was overturned, Hechavarria was sent back to third base. Based on review rules, umpires can determine where to put runners based on how the incorrect call was handled.
The last time the Mets had a winning streak longer than seven games was June 10-18, 2010, when they won eight in a row. … Left fielder Michael Cuddyer extended his hitting streak to seven games with a sixth-inning double.
Second baseman Daniel Murphy’s struggles continued with an 0-for-4 night. He has just two hits in his last 18 at-bats. … D’Arnaud threw out Gordon attempting to steal in the first inning, the third time he has thrown out a would-be base stealer in seven attempts this season.
