Grand rally blunts some of Mets’ pain
Harvey, Walker join New York infirmary
NEW YORK — On a night when Matt Harvey fizzled and so much went wrong for the New York Mets, they still rallied late for a rousing win.
Curtis Granderson opened a five-run eighth inning with his 300th home run, a tiebreaking shot that helped the Mets bail out an ailing Harvey in a 9-4 victory Wednesday over the Chicago Cubs.
Harvey lost the zip on his fastball and gave up three homers in four innings — including Anthony Rizzo’s latest leadoff shot and a 467-foot drive by Kyle Schwarber.
Afterward, the former ace said he’s at a low point physically and plans to see a doctor Thursday.
“My arm was just not working at all,” said Harvey, who had a rib removed last year during surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. “I think the last time I threw 87 (mph) with a fastball was probably freshman year of high school.”
New York also lost second baseman Neil Walker to a left leg injury, the latest issue to befall a team hampered by a long list of health problems the past two seasons.
But replacement Lucas Duda hit a three-run homer off Hector Rondon in the eighth, and T.J. Rivera capped the outburst with an RBI single for his third hit.
With sluggers Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto on the bench to begin the game, the resurgent Mets came back from a 4-1 deficit and took two of three from the World Series champions heading into a pivotal four-game series against National League East-leading Washington.
New York (30-34) has won five of six overall.
Granderson received a standing ovation and came out for a curtain call after connecting in the eighth off Carl Edwards Jr. (2-1). The veteran outfielder had the souvenir ball from home run No. 300 in his locker after the game.
Jerry Blevins (4-0) struck out three of his four batters, and Addison Reed retired Rizzo with the bases loaded for the final out.