Matt Harvey allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings Wednesday, striking out seven. Credit Kathy Willens/Associated Press
After Matt Harvey completed his warm-up throws, he nodded toward catcher Kevin Plawecki, signaling that he was ready to go.
Harvey had won his most recent start, on Friday at Atlanta, for his first victory of the season. But his outings have been less than stellar — he sported a 5.24 E.R.A. and had not lasted more than six innings in any of his four starts.
The players the Cincinnati Reds trotted out on Wednesday presented a prime opportunity for Harvey to regain his form. But against the first batter of the game, Zack Cozart, Harvey gave up a home run. Next up, Ivan De Jesus Jr. lined a single off Harvey’s backside.
Harvey escaped the first inning without further damage by striking out the next three batters, setting the cadence for his night.
Like a ship wading through rough waters, Harvey encountered his share of whitecaps, but he finished in good condition, striking out seven in six innings while allowing two runs and seven hits, as the Mets defeated the Reds, 5-2, at Citi Field.
“This is the best I think he’s thrown all year,” Manager Terry Collins said. “I think he’s making strides.”
Neil Walker drove in two runs to support Harvey, with one of the R.B.I. coming in the third on his ninth home run, which tied him for the franchise record for April. Last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Walker did not hit his ninth homer until July 26.
Michael Conforto left six runners on base in his first three at-bats but compensated with a two-run double in the sixth inning.
During the game, the Mets’ bench coach, Dick Scott, told Collins that Conforto was “learning from each and every at-bat.”
Collins said later, “I don’t think he’s overwhelmed by what we’re asking him to do right now.”
Yoenis Cespedes did not start for the fifth straight game but said he expected to be back in the lineup Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Without Cespedes, the Mets have leaned heavily on Conforto and Walker to produce runs.