Dillon Gee isn’t back to where he was before he landed on the disabled list, but he’s getting closer.
Making his fifth start since returning from a strained lat muscle, Gee (4-4) struggled with his command early in Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Giants at Citi Field, but the right-hander performed far better than in his previous three starts, in which he allowed a combined 15 runs.
Earning a no-decision after throwing a post-injury high 105 pitches over 5 ²/₃ innings, Gee allowed two runs, five hits and three walks while striking out six, surrendering the only runs on a two-out, game-tying double to Pablo Sandoval in the third inning.
Gee was in line for the win when he was removed in the sixth inning.
“It was a long time off, but I feel like I’m almost back to where I should be,” Gee said. “I feel like I was ready when I first came back. There’s no excuses there, I just haven’t been throwing the ball like I have to, but I feel like I’m getting that back and hopefully I’m on the verge of a nice little run.
“It was a little hit or miss today, I wasn’t exactly on, but I feel like I battled pretty well out there.”
Matt Harvey is scheduled to throw approximately 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the team’s minor-league complex in Port St. Lucie. The session will be broadcast at 2 p.m. on SNY.
Jacob deGrom was named the National League Rookie of the Month for July after going 4-1 with a 1.39 ERA. … Travis d’Arnaud allowed his MLB-worst 11th passed ball of the season, in the third inning. … Giants second baseman and former St. John’s star Joe Panik set a career-high with three hits.
Though the Mets struggled to finish out the homestand, Juan Lagares finished strong, tying a career-high in hits, going 3-for-4, to raise his average to .283. The 25-year-old hit safely in six of the final seven games (11-for-25, .440) and recorded his third outfield assist of the season Monday, throwing out Gregor Blanco at home to keep the game tied 3-3 in the seventh inning.
“There’s a lot of good outfielders in this league, but Juan Lagares ranks right up with anyone in this league, defensively. He’s got a great arm,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “He’s starting to swing the bat. I’m gonna keep saying it, this kid’s gonna be a really, really good player.”