Matt Harvey allowed two earned runs over 7 2/3 innings during Saturday’s win in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. Harvey struck out nine batters, allowed four hits, walked two and hit a batter.
“I wanted this game bad,” Harvey said.
Harvey had a perfect game through four innings before hitting Anthony Rizzo with an 0-2 pitch to lead off the fifth inning. Rizzo promptly scored on an RBI double from Starlin Castro that got over the head of center fielder Juan Lagares. He later gave up a solo home run to Kyle Schwarber, after which Terry Collins gave the ball to Jeurys Familia for a four-out save.
“If Harvey wasn’t pitching, it would have looked a lot better. He was outstanding tonight,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “His stuff is always good, but the command was outrageous tonight.”
Harvey pitched into the eighth inning for the first time in two months after weeks of discussions about his arm, innings limits, doctors and agents.
“I talk to this guy every day, I know exactly what he’s made of,” Collins later said. “He wants the baseball. … That is not just a mask that he’s putting out. This kid likes to compete.”
Harvey was struck with a line drive in his throwing shoulder to lead off the sixth inning. He later said that it “put a dent in his arm,” and it started swelling after he came out of the game.
“The training staff will take care of that and we’ll be all set,” he concluded.
Matthew Cerrone
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Harvey needed a start like. The Mets needed him to have a start like that. Mets fans desperately needed him to have a start like that. His legacy and ego needed a start like that. And, he stepped up, and delivered. Frankly, I was thinking no-hitter up until he hit Rizzo, Harvey had been looking that good. Maddon is right, Harvey’s command was amazing. It goes to show how important it is to have these guys on regular rest. The problem is, this time of year, that is almost impossible, given the short series in the NLDS, off days, significance, etc., and that’s just something they’re all going to have to deal with, because I truly don’t believe this postseason is ending any time soon… and, this will not be the last time these guys go through this during their career. They’re all so good. It’s hard to believe that Harvey entered last night’s game essentially this team’s third-best starting pitcher right now, yet he did what he did on the mound. It’s crazy. I love Chicago’s young hitters. But, in the end, I just don’t see them topping the people Collins will roll out on the mound for four consecutive games. I’m happy for Matt. This is what he was hoping for this past winter when he committed himself to pitching in October. I hope he feels proud… I know I am.
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