Matt Harvey gave the Baltimore Orioles a very un-Matt Harvyish start this afternoon at Citi Field against the New York Mets. Obviously Harvey broke into the majors with New York, and this was his first start back at Citi Field since leaving the organization. Needless to say, it wasn’t the outing he or anyone would have wanted. Harvey’s line: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 4 K.
New York took a 2-0 lead in the last of the second on Pillar’s two-RBI triple. Ironically, that was one of the only balls against Harvey that was squared up. He fell victim to softly-hit balls and broken bat singles for much of hit outing. Which can be aggravating. What’s also aggravating is the fact that regardless of anything else, Pillar seems to always kill the Birds.
Later in that second inning Peraza’s RBI-single ran the lead to 3-0. And the rout was on. By the end of the fifth, New York had put seven runs on the board, and chased Harvey from the game. Chance Sisco would add an RBI-groundout in the seventh for the O’s, avoiding the shut out.
This was always going to be a tough series for the Orioles because it was so quick. They arrived in New York after the Boston game on Monday night, then a day-and-a-half later the series was over. Granted New York had to play in essence the same schedule, but there’s a difference between being at home or on the road for something like this.
The O’s do have two things in their favor, and that’s an early ride home to Baltimore this afternoon, and a day off at home tomorrow. However they then begin a grueling nine-game stretch, which will see the New York Yankees coming to Camden Yards this weekend, Tampa for three next week, and then a three-game weekend series in Washington. None of those games will be easy.
Certainly Matt Harvey wanted to pitch better in his return to Queens. However the fact that he’s in the big leagues again is a testament to his work ethic and his drive. He has nothing to be ashamed of. He just needs to buckle down in his next start, because as I said the Birds are going into a difficult stretch.
Birdland Crush 