Steven Matz, a native of Stony Brook, Long Island, was drafted out of high school by his beloved New York Mets. In 2010, he suffered a torn ligament in his elbow leading to Tommy John surgery and underwent a two-year rehabilitation regimen. Then, in the middle of this summer, his wait was finally over and Matz, the hometown hero, joined one of baseball’s best starting rotations.
STEVEN MATZ’ HISTORIC DEBUT
Matz was a bundle of nerves when he took the mound for his Major League debut on June 28. After his first pitch sailed to the backstop, Matz concentrated on simply getting the ball over the plate. He pumped his fifth pitch right down the middle and Reds Brandon Phillips connected for a home run.
Matz quickly settled down and led the Mets to a 7-2 victory as a two-way threat. He became the first pitcher on record to have three hits and four RBIs in his first game, and the 11th player overall.
METS HOPE TO CLINCH
Tonight, the first-place Mets (85-67) are hoping to clinch their first NL East title in nine years against the Reds. Matz will take the mound again, looking to add to his record best start (4-0, 1.80 ERA) by a Mets rookie.
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