With Harper walking to the plate as the potential
Yu Darvish Jerseytying run for the Nationals, Mets manager Terry Collins stayed with Matz.
The rookie got Harper to ground out, and New York held on for a 2-0 victory over Washington on Wednesday to take two of three in the series.
''You don't want to
http://www.officialmlbrangersshop.com/authentic-29-adrian-beltre-jersey.htmlcome out in that situation,'' said Matz, who won his seventh straight start. ''And for your manager to have faith in you and leave you out and face the greatest hitter in the game right now is pretty awesome.''
Matz (7-1 with a 2.36 ERA) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out seven. He only faced Harper once, after the slumping slugger began the day on the bench in what Nationals manager Dusty Baker called a
http://www.officialmlbrangersshop.com/authentic-45-derek-holland-jersey.html''mental day off.''
After allowing seven runs in the first start this season, the hard-throwing left-hander has allowed only six since while compiling a 1.13 ERA during his winning streak.
Matzretired 16 batters in a row before Clint Robinson's
Dustin McGowan Jerseytwo-out single in the eighth on his 100th pitch. Against Harper, he got behind 2-0 for just the second time in the game before throwing a pair of sinkers. Harper chopped the second one to shortstop Matt Reynolds just to the right of second base.
''I think when you have a young player, there's certain situations that you have to challenge them, and that was one of them,'' Collins said. ''If he's going to be a big winner for us and
http://www.officialbluejaysstore.com/authentic-10-edwin-encarnacion-jersey.html he's going to pitch in big games, he has to learn how to get those guys out in tight situations, and he did.''
Matz's dominance is welcome given the recent struggles of Matt Harvey. New York remained a half-game game behind Washington in the NL East.
''I think he thinks he belongs here,'' Collins said of Matz. ''I think he knows he's part of a very, very good pitching staff. We count on him when he goes out there and I think he picks his game up.''
