Game #111: Mets 5, Rockies 0

Add this to your collection of Matt Harvey facts: when Matt Harvey gets drilled by a line drive, the trainers come out to check on the ball. Credit Josh Lewin with that phrase, credit Harvey with the career night.

(NYTimes.com

Harvey tossed his first career shutout, and Wilmer Flores cleared the bases with a clutch double as the Mets thoroughly dominated the Rockies 5-0.

The Good Stuff:

• Matt Harvey knew he needed to get his pitch count down if he was to avoid being shut down Stephen Strasburg style, and all of a sudden Mr. Strikeout turned into Mr. Groundball. He allowed just four hits and walked no one, striking out six and forcing a whopping 14 groundball outs on an efficient 106 pitches. None of Colorado's hits went for extra bases, and Harvey survived getting drilled above the right knee by Charlie Blackmon on his 100th pitch to finish off Troy Tulowitzki on a popout to Daniel Murphy.
• New York handed Harvey a 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Omar Quintanilla in the 2nd and John Buck in the 4th. Certainly more run support than Matt is used to, but it would take a couple more runs to really secure the night.
• Enter Wilmer Flores, who got his first major-league hit and run in the 2nd. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th, Flores worked the count to 2-2 and proceeded to punch a line drive into the left field corner, plating all three runners and giving Harvey the safety net he deserved.
• Ike Davis hit another double and drew a walk in his four plate appearances, scoring twice.

The Bad Stuff:

• Starts like this still earn just one W, although it feels like Matt could have made up at least six missed Ws tonight.

Final Analysis:
What more is there to say about Matt Harvey? The man can do it all.

(NYTimes.com)

Let's talk about the latest bat in the Mets' arsenal. At 22 years and a day, Wilmer Flores made his presence felt in the major leagues. For a franchise known for developing pitching but not necessarily hitting, Flores and eventually Travis d'Arnaud will provide a much-needed spark to back up Harvey, Zack Wheeler, and the rest of the future orange-and-blues. With David Wright entrenched at third base and a resurgent Ike Davis reclaiming first, I wonder if Daniel Murphy will end up being the odd man out when it comes to the future of the infield. Only time will tell, but Flores is certainly making a few guys sweat.

That was another fun night. We're glimpsing the future at Citi Field, and oh boy, is it grand.

MM