By GinaMarie Feliciato
If you would have told me before the game that Harvey Day would unravel much like a Spanish telenovela, I would have never believed it. But that's exactly what happened. In a game that included an electric crowd, four hit batsmen, a 3:53 official play review, Terry Collins being ejected for fighting a botched catcher's interference call, two Mets players going down with injury, and the backup catcher Anthony Recker playing 3rd base in the 9th inning for the first time in his career, Harvey was a bit overshadowed.
Harvey stepped onto the field a little after 7 PM to the roaring sound of the crowd and a standing ovation through most of the first inning. I had never seen anything like it and I could just imagine how much more intense it was at the stadium. The Harvey chants were perfectly heard even on television. You couldn't help but get chills. I thought- one day, I'm going to tell my grandchildren I was around when Matt Harvey changed what it meant to be a Mets fan.
He wasn't perfect by any means. He showed us he is human. After striking out the first two Phillies, Harvey gave up a homer to Chase Utley. In the 4th, he also gave up a home run to Cody Asche, marking only the 2nd time in his career that he's given up two home runs in a game. The first came in the 3rd start of his career against the Padres. Harvey's final line-- 3 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings of work with 2 home runs and a hit batsmen. That's right- Harvey plunked Utley on the back in what was supposed to be an intentional walk in the 5th inning.
He may not have had his best stuff, but he competed. He got outs when he needed them and surprisingly, the offense helped him out. The Mets finished with 6 runs on 12 hits on a night Harvey needed some backing. Duda came up with a 3 RBI night as d'Arnaud raked in his 7th RBI and Murphy hit his first home run of the season thanks to the shorter fences at Citi Field. Cuddyer also contributed before being hit on the hand by Phillies pitcher David Buchanan in the 2nd and having to leave the game. Flores was also hit on the hand, but toughed it out for the remainder of the game.
Jeurys Familia came on in the 9th to shut things down in a 6-4 game, but instead gave everyone heart palpitations. After giving up a home run to former Met Jeff Francoeur (Familia obviously did not read scouting reports on Jeff, who will swing at just about everything), Familia settled down and got the next two outs for his 3rd save of the season.
On a night that could have ended with Mets superfan and comedic actor Kevin James playing 3rd base, Mets fans were most concerned about their Captain. Wright left in the 8th inning after awkwardly sliding into 2nd base on a steal. It was later announced he had a right hamstring strain. Considering Eric Campbell is on his way to New York and Wright is headed for an MRI, it looks like the DL is imminent for Captain America. Hopefully, the team can keep it together without their Captain for a couple of weeks. After making it through last night's game, I'm sure the Mets will be just fine.
If you would have told me before the game that Harvey Day would unravel much like a Spanish telenovela, I would have never believed it. But that's exactly what happened. In a game that included an electric crowd, four hit batsmen, a 3:53 official play review, Terry Collins being ejected for fighting a botched catcher's interference call, two Mets players going down with injury, and the backup catcher Anthony Recker playing 3rd base in the 9th inning for the first time in his career, Harvey was a bit overshadowed.
Harvey stepped onto the field a little after 7 PM to the roaring sound of the crowd and a standing ovation through most of the first inning. I had never seen anything like it and I could just imagine how much more intense it was at the stadium. The Harvey chants were perfectly heard even on television. You couldn't help but get chills. I thought- one day, I'm going to tell my grandchildren I was around when Matt Harvey changed what it meant to be a Mets fan.
He wasn't perfect by any means. He showed us he is human. After striking out the first two Phillies, Harvey gave up a homer to Chase Utley. In the 4th, he also gave up a home run to Cody Asche, marking only the 2nd time in his career that he's given up two home runs in a game. The first came in the 3rd start of his career against the Padres. Harvey's final line-- 3 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings of work with 2 home runs and a hit batsmen. That's right- Harvey plunked Utley on the back in what was supposed to be an intentional walk in the 5th inning.
He may not have had his best stuff, but he competed. He got outs when he needed them and surprisingly, the offense helped him out. The Mets finished with 6 runs on 12 hits on a night Harvey needed some backing. Duda came up with a 3 RBI night as d'Arnaud raked in his 7th RBI and Murphy hit his first home run of the season thanks to the shorter fences at Citi Field. Cuddyer also contributed before being hit on the hand by Phillies pitcher David Buchanan in the 2nd and having to leave the game. Flores was also hit on the hand, but toughed it out for the remainder of the game.
Jeurys Familia came on in the 9th to shut things down in a 6-4 game, but instead gave everyone heart palpitations. After giving up a home run to former Met Jeff Francoeur (Familia obviously did not read scouting reports on Jeff, who will swing at just about everything), Familia settled down and got the next two outs for his 3rd save of the season.
On a night that could have ended with Mets superfan and comedic actor Kevin James playing 3rd base, Mets fans were most concerned about their Captain. Wright left in the 8th inning after awkwardly sliding into 2nd base on a steal. It was later announced he had a right hamstring strain. Considering Eric Campbell is on his way to New York and Wright is headed for an MRI, it looks like the DL is imminent for Captain America. Hopefully, the team can keep it together without their Captain for a couple of weeks. After making it through last night's game, I'm sure the Mets will be just fine.