If Spring Training is any indication, then Matt Harvey has resumed his role as the New York Mets' ace. On Sunday, Harvey dominated the New York Yankees for 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and the Mets hit four home runs to win 6-0.
Harvey (W: 1-0, 1.26 ERA) looked as strong and as good as ever, throwing in the mid 90s consistently in his return from Tommy John surgery. In his 5 2/3 innings, he allowed only two singles while striking out four.
In four Spring Training starts, Harvey has allowed only two earned runs on 11 hits in 14 innings pitched. He has walked one and struck out eight for the spring.
Harvey got immediate run support from Juan Lagares, who led off the bottom of the first with an inside-the-park home run (1).
On the play, Yankees center fielder Jose Pirela slammed his head into the wall. He stayed on the ground for approximately three minutes before needing help up and leaving the game on a cart. MLB.com's Jamaal Collier reports that Pirela suffered a concussion, and the Yankees are awaiting results of a CT scan. Slade Heathcott took over in center.
Lucas Duda make it back-to-back home runs (1) with a more traditional shot over the right-field fence. David Wright homered (2) in the third with Lagares aboard, and Eric Campbell added a fourth Mets home run, a solo shot (2) in the eighth. The Mets competed the scoring two batters later when Ruben Tejada doubled home Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia (L: 0-2, 11.57) has not fared as well in his return from injury. Sabathia had knee surgery last summer, and so far he has allowed six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings over two starts. On Sunday, he gave up four of those runs in 2 2/3 innings, allowing three home runs and five total hits. He walked no one and struck out four.
Scott Baker was very impressive in relief: 4 1/3 innings, one hit, two strikeouts. Baker has a 4.32 ERA but 1.08 WHIP in 8 1/3 Spring Training innings.
The Yankees visit the Washington Nationals Monday while the Mets travel to face the Miami Marlins. Both games start at 1:05 p.m. EDT.