Matt Harvey’s Cincinnati Reds career got off to a brief but promising start on Friday as the pitcher threw four solid innings in his debut.
Harvey hit 96 on the gun and the only hit he allowed was the result of a defensive misplay, an outing that pleased him.
“It’s a good first start,” Harvey said, via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. “Obviously it’s only four innings; there’s a lot of work and a lot of season left. But I think to go out there and be successful and get outs, help a team win, is very important.”
Harvey was particularly pleased to hit 96 MPH after his velocity decreased this season.
“I hadn’t seen that in a while,” Harvey said. “It was good to know it’s still in there.”
This is, of course, only one start, and we’ll have to see if he avoids some of the behavior that got him in trouble in New York. Still, the Reds have to be encouraged with what they saw from Harvey.
