Matz better!
Rookie lefty happy with command
CINCINNATI — Steven Matz’s final line didn’t show it, but the rookie lefty felt as if he was in complete control Thursday.
“It’s definitely the best I’ve felt commanding the zone and everything,” Matz said after the Mets beat the Reds 64 at Great American Ball Park. “I felt all the way through I was able to put the ball where I wanted — they just got a couple of hits off me.”
Manager Terry Collins agreed.
“I thought that was the best stuff he’s had since he came off the DL [last month],” Collins said on a night Matz surrendered three earned runs on 10 hits and struck out eight over 5 ²/₃ innings.
Matz, who received a no decision, figures to have another chance before the end of the season to become the first pitcher in franchise history to win his first five career decisions.
Tempers flared in the eighth inning when plate umpire Adam Hamari called a quick pitch on Hansel Robles and awarded an automatic ball to Jay Bruce.
Collins argued the Mets had a quickpitch in Philadelphia with Robles last month and the ruling was no pitch — not an automatic ball.
“Somebody is wrong,” Collins said. “I would like to get it clarified.”
Collins said he was excited about having Matz, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom lined up to face the Reds this weekend. The manager hasn’t pitched all four in succession this season.
“This certainly is going to be fun to watch, these four games, because it could have a direct impact on what we’re going to do down the road here,” Collins said, referring to the Mets’ potential rotation for the NLDS.
The Mets have scored three or more runs in each of their last 28 road games, dating to July 21, extending the franchise record. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, since 1900 just two teams had a longer such streak: The 1912 Giants (30 games) and 1995 Reds (29 games).