METS 6, Braves 1 GM2
The future of the the New York Mets was on full display for one entire day and night at Turner Field in Atlanta.
A team that has so little to play for in 2013, and seemingly so little to look forward to, left Turner Field, Tuesday night with full knowledge that they have not just one, but now two aces at the top of their pitching staff.
We all know who Matt Harvey is. The unquestioned number 1 starter of the New York Mets has been nothing short of brilliant this year; he's flirted with perfection twice, and dominated the competition throughout the schedule. He is well on his way to getting the ball for the All Star game next month at Citi Field.
In Game 1 of the Mets' double-header in Atlanta, Harvey once again flirted with a no hitter. He walked only two hitters through the games first six innings, before Jason Heyward reached on an infield single in the seventh that could have easily been ruled an error.
Harvey blew away the Braves; he struck out 13 batters, and at one point struck out six consecutive batters, flirting with the franchise record for consecutive strikeouts in a single game, which is 10 set by Tom Seaver.
In a year where Harvey could easily have nine or ten wins, if it weren't for the lack of run support, the Mets gave him four runs to work with in the first game which was more than enough for Harvey to earn his sixth win of the year.
As for Wheeler, his debut has been even more anticipated than Harvey's was last season. Wheeler, who was acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants two years ago for Carlos Beltran, shot up through the minor leagues the last two seasons.
Everyone has been waiting for his first appearance in Mets blue and orange, but after a rough start to his season in Triple-A Las Vegas this Spring, Wheeler's debut was delayed until he got his mechanics straightened out.After tonight, there will be no question about mechanics for at least a while.
Wheeler was unbelievable, matching zeros with Pat Maholam all night long. It wasn't easy early on, as Wheeler had to work out of trouble in the first inning when he walked two batters, but from that point on, he was practically flawless.
Wheeler struck out seven batters, allowing only four hits and five walks. He never allowed Atlanta move any runners in scoring position.
Finally in the top of the seventh the Mets gave their newest ace pitcher a lead, when Anthony Recker cracked a two-run homer to give the Mets and Wheeler a 2-0 lead.
The Mets would tack on and win 6-1, but this was not a day and night about what the Mets did offensively -- this was a day and night about what could be for the Mets moving forward for years to come.
If all goes well, Harvey and Wheeler will be the 1-2 punch that could lift the Mets out of the basement.
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