Mets' Harvey adds pop to his pitching, homering in win over D-backs
NEW YORK -- Mets pitchers are showing they can hit just as well as they can pitch.
Matt Harvey took his turn at adding to that reputation.
Harvey pitched seven strong innings and hit his first career home run to lead New York to a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.
"I think the big thing going around now is that we can rake," Harvey said about his fellow pitchers. "I wasn't doing my job very well. I think that might have helped the cause a little bit."
After Eric Campbell worked a two-out walk, Harvey hit the second of the Mets three home runs, sending the first-pitch offering from Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin into the left-center-field stands.
Harvey pumped his fist in celebration as he rounded the bases, only to learn that Arizona had requested a crew chief review of the home run.
Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta said a fan had crossed the boundary and interfered with the ball. After a review of 1 minute, 49 seconds, the home run call stood, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd of 36,038.
"I thought it wasn't a homer because I saw the fan reaching to get the ball," Peralta said.
After not allowing a first-inning hit in his last four starts, Harvey (8-6) walked All-Star outfielder A.J. Pollock leading off the game. Peralta followed with his eight home run, hitting Harvey's first pitch over the right-center field wall.
Harvey then settled into a groove, scattering four singles over his final six innings. He walked four and struck out nine to rebound from his previous start, where he struggled, giving up three runs on seven hits, with five walks, in just five innings.
"As you saw the game went, his command got better, stuff got better," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He got into three, four, five and he got into a rhythm."
It was another solid pitching performance for the Mets, who have allowed just 23 earned runs over their last 142 innings.
In the first two games of the series, Harvey and Noah Syndergaard combined to allow only nine hits while striking out 22 in 15 innings of work, stymieing the highest-scoring offense in the National League.
"They're good," said Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale. "There's a reason why these guys are two of the best young pitchers in baseball."
Corbin (1-1), making his second start of the season after Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2014 campaign, allowed all four runs and four hits in five innings. He gave up three homers for the first time in his career.
Corbin was outstanding for four innings, allowing only a single to Michael Cuddyer in the first, while striking out five batters. However, he ran into trouble in the fifth.
Duda opened the inning by driving Corbin's 2-0 pitch deep into center field. Of Duda's 12 home runs, 10 have been solo shots.
Tejada added to the Mets' advantage, leading off the sixth inning with his second home run of the season.
Jeurys Familia got the last three outs for his 26th save in 28 chances.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mets: 2B Daniel Murphy and OF Curtis Granderson, both left-handed batters, were held out of the lineup in a pre-planned move by manager Terry Collins, with the lefty-throwing Cordbin on the mound. "Curtis Granderson has played, I think, in every single game," Collins said. "He needs a day off and the same with Murph. Murph needs a day off and this guy can be really tough. We've got them if we need them, but we planned going into these three days to try and get some guys some rest." Granderson struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh.
ON THE PITCH
New York Cosmos Striker Raul Gonzalez was on the field with his family taking in batting practice. Better known as simply Raul, he is regarded as one of the greatest soccer players in Spanish history, garnering most of his notoriety while playing with powerhouse Real Madrid.
DELIVERED TO deGROM
Prior to the game, the Mets presented Jacob deGrom with his official All-Star jersey. He is the fourth Mets player to be selected for the All-Star game one seas after winning Rookie of the Year honors.
UP NEXT
Mets LHP Jonathon Niese (4-8, 3.58 ERA) matches up with Diamondbacks RHP Rubby De La Rosa (6-4, 4.89 ERA) in the first half finale for both teams.
