Watch: Mets pitcher Steven Matz doubles home two runs in first at-bat
New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz helped his own cause with a two-run double in his first major-league at-bat, followed by a two-RBI single in the sixth inning.
Matz is the first pitcher in MLB history and the first Mets player to have four RBIs in his major-league debut.
Matz, ranked the Mets' No. 1 prospect by MLB.com, made his MLB debut on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds. He gave up a leadoff home run to Brandon Phillips in the first inning but gave the Mets a one-run lead in the bottom of the next inning with a two run double.
Josh Smith left a fastball over the heart of the plate and Matz hit a long line drive to dead centerfield. The ball sailed over the head of the speedy Billy Hamilton and Matz was able to cruise into second with a stand-up double. Darrell Ceciliani and Eric Campbell scored.
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He also drove in two runs with a bases loaded single in the sixth and helped allow another run to score later in the inning by breaking up a double play.
Matz, who throws left and hits right, was batting .304 in 10 Triple A games this season.
“I know he's a pretty good offensive player for a pitcher,” manager Terry Collins told reporters when Matz was called up. “That's one of the phases that I'm not overly concerned about. I hope he gets some opportunities to help us offensively because we could use another bat in our lineup, for sure.”
- Dan Gartland
