Harvey Dominates, Doc Sputters in 7-2 Phils Loss

The young Matt Harvey was impressive in seven innings, striking out nine while scattering five base runners, setting up a 7-2 Mets win. Harvey is the second Mets pitcher with consecutive starts of 7+ IP and 3 or fewer hits to start a season. The other was Nolan Ryan in 1970.

Halladay Hits the Wall

In his second start of the season, Halladay fell off track early again, allowing a three-run home run to John Buck in the third. Halladay threw 99 pitches, just 59 for strikes, allowing three walks, six hits, and seven runs, all earned. Hitters routinely took advantage of hitters’ counts and Halladay exited the game in the fifth with runners on first and third. Doc’s fastball sat around 89 for most of the night but left it over the plate too often.

Durbin Was Durbin

Chad Durbin entered the game in a tough spot, with two runners on, but allowed both to score. My favorite fictitious baseball player ever is Wally Bunting, the Quad-A type player who Rick Moranis’s wife leaves him for in the 1990 film My Blue Heaven. In the movie, a radio announcer very calmly says “Fans, what are we going to do with Wally Bunting?” I’m starting to get this feeling regarding Durbin – you don’t want to penalize him for allowing the inherited runners to score in a tough spot but Durbin compounded his situation by walking Lucas Duda. Ruben Tejada sealed the deal by singling in a pair and closing the book on Doc.

What are we going to do with Chad Durbin?

Did Howard Leave His Bat in Clearwater?

Ryan Howard went 0-3 with 2 Ks, lowering his average to .154. The progress Howard made in Spring has seemingly been erased – Howard chased one up the ladder near the letters and down and out of the strike zone.

Were There Any Positives?

There were a few – Michael Young fielded his position about as well you could ask for and Jeremy Horst had two solid innings. Raul Valdes also threw two scoreless innings.

The Phils are in action again tomorrow against the Mets and have Cliff Lee taking the hill.