Mets Game Recap: Matt Harvey fans 11 and Mets go yard twice, but still fall short to Marlins, 4-3

The Mets are hosting the Miami Marlins this weekend.

Matt Harvey climbed the hill at Citi Field this evening looking to bounce back from the worst outing of his career.  He was opposed by Miami’s Dan Haren.

May 25, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(33) watches from the dugout during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Phillies 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Harvey cruised his first time through the order, then got touched for 3 runs in the 4th.

Despite a pair of home runs by Lucas Duda and Curtis Granderson, the Mets were unable to pad their stats against Haren, and trailed the Marlins 4-2 after 8 innings of play.

The Mets made things interesting with a run in the 9th, but ultimately fell short.

Miami secured a 4-3 victory in the series opener.

Mets Starting Lineup:

1) Curtis Granderson-RF; 2) Ruben Tejada-3B; 3) Lucas Duda-1B; 4) Daniel Murphy-2B; 5) Michael Cuddyer-LF; 6) Wilmer Flores-SS; 7) Juan Lagares-CF; 8) Kevin Plawecki-C; 9) Matt Harvey-SP

Game Recap:

Matt Harvey struck out the side to open the game, then retired the Marlins in order again in the 2nd.

The Mets threatened in the bottom of the 2nd inning.  With 1-out, Michael Cuddyer doubled deep to right.  Wilmer Flores advanced Cuddyer with a grounder to second base.  Juan Lagares then drew a walk to put runners on the corners, but, Kevin Plawecki ended the threat with a fielder’s choice.

Matt Harvey retired his 9th straight batter in the top of the 3rd, and recorded his 6th strikeout of the game.

Second baseman Dee Gordon led-off the top of the 4th with a successful bunt single, then promptly stole second base.  Third baseman Martin Prado drew a walk.  Giancarlo Stanton‘s fly to right advanced Gordon to third.  First baseman Justin Bour then connected on a home run to right giving Miami a 3-0 lead.

Lucas Duda connected on his 9th home run of the season to lead-off the bottom of the 4th.

Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria led-off the top of the 5th with a single, and was sacrificed over to second by pitcher Danny Haren.  With 1-out out, Martin Prado‘s single scored Hechavarria from second to make it a 4-1 game.  Matt Harvey then fanned Giancarlo Stanton to retire the side.

Leading off the bottom of the 6th, Curtis Granderson took Dan Haren deep to right making it a 4-2 game.

• Through 6 innings pitched, Matt Harvey threw 82 pitches with 58 (71%) going for strikes.  He allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits (one home run) and just one walk, with 9 strikeouts.

• Dan Haren cruised through 7 effective innings of work.  He allowed a pair of solo home runs, 4 hits overall, with a walk and 4 strikeouts, and exited the game on the winning side of a 4-2 game.

Sam Dyson entered the game in the bottom of the 8th in relief of Dan Haren, and retired the Mets in order.

• Matt Harvey was relieved after 8 innings pitched.  He threw 105 pitches with 72 (68.5%) going for strikes.  He allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits and a walk, with 11 strikeouts.  He exited on the losing side of a 4-2 game.

Carlos Torres entered the game in the top of the 9th in relief of Harvey.

Miami’s A.J. Ramos entered the game to pitch the bottom of the 9th, and was greeted with a lead-off base hit by Ruben Tejada.  With Lucas Duda at the plate, Tejada advanced to second on a wild pitch by Ramos.  Duda then fanned on a check swing.  Daniel Murphy followed with a bloop double that fell between shortstop and left, Tejada scored on the play.  Next, Michael Cuddyer struck out.  Wilmer Flores then grounded harmlessly to first base ending the game.

Scoring Summary:

• Top 4th inning – Dee Gordon reached on a bunt single, and stole second.  Martin Prado walked.  Justin Bour homered to right giving Miami a 3-0 lead.

• Bottom 4th inning – Lucas Duda hit his 9th home run of the season.

• Top 5th inning – Adeiny Hechavarria singled, and was sacrificed over to second by Dan Haren.  Martin Prado‘s single scored Hechavarria.

• Bottom 6th inning – Curtis Granderson hit his 6th home run of the season to make it a 4-2 game.

• Bottom 9th inning – Ruben Tejada led-off with a base hit, then advanced on a wild pitch.  Daniel Murphy doubled on a bloop to left, Tejada scored.

Final Score:

• Marlins 4; METS 3

Highlights:

• Despite looking dominant at times, the Dark Knight allowed his 7th home run of the season.  He has now allowed home runs in half of his 10 starts.  His record fell to 5-3, while his ERA grew from 2.91 to a 3.11 mark.  This was Harvey’s second straight loss.  This was also the first time he achieved double-digit strikeouts this season.  Harvey previously fanned 9 in a game three times this season.

• The Mets went 6 for 32 (.187) at the plate, with just one walk and 7 strikeouts.  They went 1 for 6 with RISP.  A pair of (solo) home runs weren’t enough to overcome 4 Marlins runs.

• The Mets record is now 27-22, with a 20-7 mark at home.  The Marlins snapped their 3-game losing streak.

Next:

5/30 – Saturday, 4:10pm

Marlins @ METS

Jon Niese vs. Tom Koehler