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 The 24-year-old, who grew up 50 miles east of Citi Field on Long
Island, was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas before the game and
enjoyed one of the most memorable major league debuts in history
Sunday, when he earned the win with 7 2/3 strong innings and tied
team records for pitchers with three hits and four RBIs as he led
the Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
"He was ready for this," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "I think
all the things we've heard from the guys in Triple-A, that it was
time -- I talked to (Las Vegas manager) Wally (Backman) four times
and four times Wally said 'It's time. This kid's bored here.'"
Matz provided anything but boredom Sunday. The win completed a
three-game sweep for the Mets (40-37), who needed the boost Matz
provided both at the plate and on the mound.
New York scored just 15 runs in its previous 10 games and used seven
pitchers in a seven-inning span earlier Sunday, when the Mets eked
out a 2-1, 13-inning win in the completion of a game suspended by
rain Saturday.
"We're all feeling it," Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson said.
"Especially when you see a guy go up there and swing the bat the way
that he did. And obviously he was pitching very well against a very
good offensive lineup."
The afternoon didn't get off to an auspicious start for Matz, whose
first major league pitch sailed high and clipped off the glove of
catcher Johnny Monell. Four pitches later, Reds second baseman
Brandon Phillips homered to left.
"I was just happy that first batter was out of the way," Matz said.
"Just trying to throw it right down the middle. Those first couple
pitches were pretty jittery."
Matz settled down after a 26-pitch first inning and ended up
allowing two runs on five hits, including a homer by third baseman
Todd Frazier, and three walks while striking out six in a 110-pitch
effort.
But Matz and Collins agreed the highlight of his day was his
performance with the bat and his second-inning double in particular.
With two outs and center fielder Darrell Ceciliani at third base,
the Reds chose to intentionally walk third baseman Eric Campbell to
get to Matz, who hit .304 with three RBIs in 23 at-bats this season
at Las Vegas.
Matz responded with a two-run double to deep centerfield and pumped
his fist as he reached second base.
"We needed a hit," Collins said. "Didn't care where it came from."
Matz kept it up in the fifth, when he singled on a hit-and-run as
Campbell advanced to third. The Mets then took the lead for good
when Granderson followed with an RBI double.
The Mets loaded the bases with none out in the sixth, when left
fielder John Mayberry and Monell singled and Campbell was hit by a
pitch. Matz then laced a two-run single over a leaping Phillips.
Matz is the first Mets player to collect four RBIs in his major
league debut and the first pitcher to rack up four RBIs since Dwight
Gooden did it on May 11, 1990.
"It's awesome," Matz said. "I love hitting so it's pretty cool to
have that record."
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He is also the 11th player in the last 100 years to collect three
hits and four RBIs in his major league debut but the second one to
do it this month. The Texas Rangers' Joey Gallo achieved the feat on
June 2.
"It's not a lot of fun to be on this end to be talking about the
great game that another player had on a different team, but he did
have a great day," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Certainly that
would be the debut anyone would want to have, I'm sure."
Matz exited to a standing ovation after walking Reds first baseman
Joey Votto in the eighth. A little more than an hour later, as the
strains of "The Joker" pulsated through the concrete walls in the
bowels of Citi Field, Matz stopped near the exit to the parking lot
to pose for pictures with family and friends, many of whom were
sporting his Las Vegas jersey.
"It was awesome, everybody was here -- everybody, (there) was like
130 people here," Matz said. "So it was great to be able to make my
debut at home. Really cool."
Right-hander Josh Smith (0-1) took the loss for the Reds after
allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks while
striking out three over five innings.
Phillips left after six innings due to sore hands, which were
aggravated during his swings and when he tried tagging Granderson in
the fifth inning. His homer extended his hitting streak against the
Mets in New York to 32 games, which ties the record for a visiting
player. Luis Castillo hit in 32 straight games at Shea Stadium from
Sept. 2, 2001 through Sept. 20, 2005.
NOTES: Because the Mets and Reds had to complete Saturday's game
first, both teams were allowed to carry a 26th man for Sunday's
regularly scheduled game. As a result, the Mets didn't have to make
a roster move in order to activate LHP Steven Matz. Afterward, the
Mets optioned LHP Jack Leathersich to Triple-A Las Vegas. ... The
Reds' 26th man was OF Jason Bourgeios, who was activated from the
60-day disabled list. ... Matz opposed Reds RHP Josh Smith, who was
making his second big league appearance. It marked the first time
this season that two starting pitchers entered a game with less than
three combined appearances. ... Mets INF Daniel Murphy went 1-for-3
in his fourth rehab game for Class A St. Lucie. He is expected to be
activated Tuesday.
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