Mets Game Recap: Matt Harvey dominant as Mets take series

Matt Harvey made his first start since August 24, 2013, thoroughly manhandling the Nationals over six scoreless innings as the Mets were victorious in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon.

Game Recap:

The Mets jumped in front in the third, when Michael Cuddyer dropped a single into right field to score Curtis Granderson. After Lucas Duda was hit with a pitch, Daniel Murphy hit a high chopper that resulted in another run and an infield single. With two outs, Travis d’Arnaud blooped a single into left field to plate two more runs and give the Mets a 4-0 advantage.

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With one out and the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, David Wright ripped a two-run single to right field to increase the Mets’ lead to 6-0.

After Alex Torres walked two batters and was pulled, Buddy Carlyle served up a two-run double to Michael Taylor as the Nats cut the lead to 6-2 in the seventh. The Nats couldn’t get it all back, though, as the Mets took their season-opening series in Washington, D.C.

Highlights:

• Matt Harvey was dominant, holding the Nats scoreless over six innings while allowing four hits, walking one, and striking out nine.

• Curtis Granderson went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and a run scored.

• Travis d’Arnaud kept his torrid start going by going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

• David Wright notched his first two hits of the season to go along with a pair of RBI and a run scored.

• Alex Torres had a forgettable Mets debut, walking a pair and allowing two runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

• Carlos Torres tossed a perfect frame in the eighth.

• Jeurys Familia allowed a run in the ninth but nailed down the victory.

Thoughts:

The Mets offense had a mini-eruption, which was nice, but Thursday was all about Matt Harvey.

After struggling with his fastball command a bit early on, Harvey settled in and looked just like the pitcher who last pitched in August of 2013. This time, though, Harvey was working with a knee-buckling curve.

Harvey’s fastball sat between 94 and 96 MPH while touching 97, his slider was nasty, and his changeup kept the Nationals off balance all day.

There really aren’t any superlatives left to describe Harvey, whose return was everything the Mets and the fans hoped it would be.

Next Up:

The Mets travel to Atlanta to open up a three-game series with the Braves on Friday.

Jon Niese gets the start for the Mets, opposed by Eric Stults for Atlanta.