DARK BLIGHT
Harvey delivers sorry outing after return from ban
Matt Harvey’s rough week ended in disastrous fashion. The one-time Mets ace — suspended for ditching a game after reported problems with his supermodel ex, Adriana Lima — allowed five runs in five-plus innings in the Amazin’s 7-4 loss to the Brewers on Friday night.
MILWAUKEE — For the second time in a week Matt Harvey got dumped. And now the Mets are in a fullblown pitching crisis. On the same day closer Jeurys Familia was most likely lost for the season after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot in his right arm, Harvey gave up three rocket home runs, equaling a career high. Two were back-to-back to the bottom of the order in a dismal 7-4 loss to the Brewers Friday night at Miller Park. This was not to be the Dark Knight’s bat cave. Before the game general manager Sandy Alderson offered these words about Harvey, who was AWOL last Saturday after a breakup with super-model girlfriend Adriana Lima: “I hope he doesn’t get caught up in his own perfectionism. He doesn’t need to be perfect, he just needs to be as good as he can be. He knows that sentiment on our part.’’ Harvey was far from perfect, and he wasn’t even good. The road back remains long for Harvey, who is coming back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. “I think there is a lot of work to be done,’’ Harvey said. “I was pretty much battling behind in the count the whole game and that makes things a lot more difficult. Overall the last threefour starts have been pretty terrible.’’ Harvey (2-3, 5.63) could not get an out in the sixth as light-hitting Eric Sogard (nine home runs in 436 career games), who was just called up, ripped a two-run home run to right. Pinch-hitter Orlando Arcia then drilled a home run to right- center wearing out Bernie Brewer on his slide.
Both home runs came off 92-mph fastballs as Harvey fell behind in the count. Harvey could not solve the 5-9 Sogard, also issuing two walks to the No. 8 hitter. Harvey’s line read five innings, seven hits, five walks and six strikeouts. He also surrendered a leadoff home run to Hernan Perez in the third.
As each home run flew out of the ballpark Harvey stood frozen looking at them as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Harvey insisted the week of personal chaos did not affect him.
“I felt physically great going into this game,’’ he said. “Mentally great going in.”
The Dark Knight must regain his swagger, but that won’t come unless he stops grooving 92 mph fastballs.
The fateful sixth began with the score tied at 2-2 when No. 7 hitter Keon Braxton singled. Manager Terry Collins let Harvey start the inning because he was facing the bottom of the order and the Mets bullpen is a mess.
Harvey was lucky to be in the game as the Brewers were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Harvey had not pitched since May 2 because he stayed out last Friday night/Saturday morning, and could not make it to the ballpark Saturday as the Mets suspended him for three games. Harvey returned to the team on Tuesday and apologized.
The right-hander did have a highlight when he struck out slugger Eric Thames, who has been mashing opposing pitching, to end the second with the bases loaded with a 95-mph heater. Thames fired his bat and helmet in disgust. Harvey, though, could not build off that moment. There was no consistency. Only trouble.
And the Mets have other issues. Before the game, the team said Familia had issues with the feeling in his right ring finger before Wednesday’s game. He later pitched in that 6-5 loss to the Giants, blowing the save and winding up the losing pitcher.
So it goes for the Mets. If Noah Syndergaard isn’t rejecting an MRI exam, saying he could pitch, and then getting a torn lat or Yoenis Cespedes’ hamstring injury accelerating after a few days off, anything is possible in the wide world of injuries with the Mets.
“I have a high tolerance for frustration,’’ Anderson said of all the injuries. “On the other hand we have to deal with what’s in front of us, and I am very happy with the way the team has responded in the face of all this and I expect they will continue to respond in the same way.’’
Not on this night. Not with this Matt Harvey on the mound.