Matt Harvey, Mets Lose to Cardinals

Matt Harvey came into Tuesday night’s game against the Cardinals amidst reports that he only has two starts left in the 2012 season until the Mets shut him down. Well, let’s hope his last start is better than his second to last, because he wasn’t particularly good in this game.

The second inning proved to be Harvey’s undoing. Yadier Molina and David Freese ended up on second and third with no outs via two singles and a passed ball. Scott Shumaker singled to drive in the first Cardinal run, and Daniel Descalso followed suit to make it 2-0. A sacrifice fly later made it 3-0.

Harvey was done after five having allowed the three runs on six hits, three walks and a hit batter. He struck out four. His record falls to 3-4 with a 3.04 ERA.

Justin Hampson, just up from Buffalo, allowed a run in the sixth on a single, sacrifice, stolen base and ground out.

Ramon Ramirez allowed a run in the seventh as the Cardinals extended their lead to 5-0.

Meantime the Mets offense could not muster anything against Jaime Garcia. He held them scoreless through seven. In the eighth he allowed two hits and was taken out of the game. David Wright then hit what should have been an inning-ending double play, but the shortstop dropped the ball to load the bases. Pinch hitter Mike Baxter hit a sacrifice fly to score the Mets first and only run.

Jeurys Familia made his major league debut in the eighth. He looked good, allowing just one hit and striking out one Cardinal.

Mets lose 5-1.