New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz had a major league debut to remember with bat and ball on Sunday night.
Matz pitched well in the Mets' 7-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field, going 7 2/3 innings in his first MLB start, but it was in the batter's box that the 24-year-old raised eyebrows.
He delivered a two-run double in his first at-bat to put the Mets 2-1 in front, singled in the fifth inning and then drove in another two runs with a single in his third plate appearance.
In doing so, Matz became the first pitcher in major league history to drive in four runs on his debut, and he further endeared himself to the home crowd with a hard slide into second base to break up a possible double play.
He allowed five hits and two runs on the mound, striking out six after allowing a home run to Brandon Phillips before even getting his first out.
Some fans even booed when manager Terry Collins came out to get Matz after 110 pitches.
"I don't like being an easy out as a pitcher," said Matz, who hails from Stony Brook in New York. “Your whole body was just tingly out there with the crowd."
Collins added: "He was ready for this. All the things we heard from the guys in Triple-A, it was time. And today he showed it."
The Mets had earlier wrapped up a 2-1 victory over the Reds in 13 innings as the teams returned to complete a game that had been suspended on Saturday night.
Lucas Duda drove in the winning run after a couple of missed plays from the Reds defense.
