Mets Game 111: Win Over Rockies

Mets 5 Rockies 0

Matt Harvey finally gets run support. Though, the game was much closer than the score might indicate.

Mets Game Notes

It was a tight, 1-0, then 2-0 ballgame until the bottom of the 8th, when debutante Wilmer Flores cleared the bases with a double to create the final score. Despite the big day by the Mets’ top position prospect, the story of the evening was Matt Harvey, who absolutely dominated the Rockies en route to his first career shutout.

Harvey allowed only four hits — one was an infield single on a bad call by the first-base umpire, another was a liner off his knee in the final frame. I only saw maybe three solidly hit balls against him by the Rockies hitters, and at least one was a foul ball. The Rox were geared up for the 97-MPH fastball and swinging whenever they saw it, albeit without success. Much of the time, they were fooled by the location of the fastball or by an off-speed pitch. Lots and lots of feeble flailing by the Colorado hitters, who grounded out fourteen times.

In addition to the double, Flores also hit a single earlier in the ballgame for his first career hit. It appears that he can swing the bat, but what else he can do is questionable for now. He doesn’t run very well == in fact, he looks like he’s in pain when he’s running the bases — and it’s impossible to judge his fielding skill since this was his first time playing third base since last year. He’s not terribly athletic — he reminds me a bit of Lucas Duda the way he lumbers around, and his throwing style is funky. Again, it’s not fair to judge the arm since he’s been throwing from second base all year. I’m just going on body movement, and it’s far from smooth. But the swing looks good, so there’s hope.

The aforementioned infield single against Harvey came on what appeared to be a bad call — as we viewers had the benefit of slow-motion replay. Am I the only one who notices that whenever there is a bad umpiring call by a rookie umpire, Gary Cohen makes certain to identify the ump as “rookie umpire —-” ? It’s kind of annoying. I mean, the way he says it, one might guess it was the umpire’s first-ever ballgame, and/or that his judgment is somehow impaired by the fact he’s in his first year.

In the ninth, Rockies hitter Charlie Blackmon ripped a rare liner off of Harvey’s right knee. Harvey shook it off, but there was adrenalin running through his body. Hopefully the bruise won’t affect his next start. Something to keep an eye on.

Sorry about game 110. I was in St. Louis for a company meeting and never got around to watching the game. Game 112 won’t be covered until later in the evening, as I’ll be at work during its progress.

Next Mets Game

The series wraps up with a 12:10 PM getaway day start on Thursday afternoon. Dillon Gee takes the ball against Tyler Chatwood.