COMING UP ACES: Matt Harvey, who upped his record to 3-3 with a 2.76 ERA, fires a pitch during the Mets’ 3-2 win over the Phillies last night in Philadelphia. (AP)
PHILADELPHIA — Matt Harvey’s magical mystery tour to begin his major league career isn’t showing any signs of relenting.
As he nears a shutdown to his season, perhaps within the next two weeks, the Mets rookie appears ready to become a significant piece to the team’s 2013 rotation.
He made it four straight superb starts last night, receiving a boost from Lucas Duda’s two-run homer in the Mets’ 3-2 victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Harvey’s final line included two earned runs allowed on six hits over 6 1/3 innings with two walks and six strikeouts. It was the fourth straight start in which Harvey (3-3, 2.76 ERA) lasted at least six innings and allowed two runs or fewer.
If Harvey had a misgiving, it was twice walking Phillies pitcher Tyler Cloyd.
“I don’t want to talk about that one,” Harvey said. “That’s going to haunt me for at least a night, but that’s the last thing you want to do and definitely the down point of my night.”
The Mets (61-69) won their fourth straight and moved into a third-place tie with the Phillies in the NL East. But manager Terry Collins later bristled at the notion he will be content finishing third — despite management’s desire to finish ahead of the Phillies and Marlins.
“The goal is to play as good as we can for as long as we can,” Collins said. “For me, our goal should be to try and get back to .500 — that should be our goal.
“But, believe me, we are not playing for third place. I don’t want these guys coming in here every day looking at the boxscore and seeing who’s in fourth.”
Collins said before the game that plans haven’t changed to restrict Harvey’s innings. The righty has pitched 152 1/3 innings between Triple-A Buffalo and the Mets this season and figures to be facing a limit in the 170 range, though Collins said no finite number has been established.
Credit the assist last night to the Mets’ bullpen, which continued its recent dominance by holding the Phillies scoreless over the final 2 2/3 innings. That made it one run allowed over the bullpen’s last 15 1/3 innings.
Cloyd gave the Phillies a chance by allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings. The righty made his major league debut after Cole Hamels was a late scratch because of a gastrointestinal illness. Cloyd completed his night by retiring 11 of the final 12 batters he faced.
Duda’s two-run homer in the third gave the Mets a 3-2 lead. The blast was Duda’s first in the majors since July 6 — he rejoined the Mets on Sunday after spending a month at Buffalo.
“Duda’s home run was good for him and good for us,” Collins said.
The Phillies had taken a 2-1 lead the previous inning on Jimmy Rollins’ RBI double. Harvey’s RBI single in the top of the inning had tied it, 1-1. It was just the latest offensive contribution from Harvey, who had two hits in his start against the Rockies last Wednesday.
Ryan Howard’s sacrifice fly in the first gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead after Juan Pierre and Chase Utley had singled in succession against Harvey.
“You look at their lineup, I think every single one of them has almost been an All-Star,” Harvey said. “You look at it from the outside wanting to do well. It’s one of the ballparks you get pretty amped up to come in and do the best you can.”