Mets Morning News: Bad Harvey returns in ugly loss

Meet the Mets

The Mets’ offense was back on track Friday night, after a dismal showing against the Brewers, but their pitching went off the rails in an ugly 12-7 loss against the Pirates. Matt Harvey was bad, and Paul Sewald was even worse as the Mets blew a lead and lost their series opener.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, Times, Post, Daily News, Newsday, MLB.com, NJ.com, Bergen County Record.

Jose Reyes may have played himself into a bench role. Wilmer Flores having the highest batting average in the National League last month may also have made benching Reyes just a tad easier.

Will Michael Conforto be benched when Cespedes returns?

Shannon Dalton Forde Memorial Field was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. In attendance: Sandy Alderson, Omar Minaya, Jim Duquette, Willie Randolph, Bobby Valentine, Ron Darling, Al Leiter, John Franco, David Wright, Todd Zeile, Jeff Wilpon, and Gary Cohen, among others.

Around the NL East

The Braves lost a close one to the Reds, blowing it late.

The Nationals easily blew past the Athletics, to the tune of twenty hits.

Giancarlo Stanton claimed the Marlins’ franchise RBI record in a win over the Diamondbacks.

During the game, a foul tip from J.T. Realmuto cracked one of the fish tanks behind home plate. The Marlins staff used duct tape to patch the leak.

The Giants beat the Phillies 10-0 and the staff over at the Good Phight was so mad that they refused to name the Phillies, posted a picture of Denali instead of a game photo, and included a bunch of drunk Lloyd Bridges GIFs in their recap. Enjoy.

Ben Lively will make his MLB debut for the Phillies this weekend.

Around MLB

Clayton Kershaw collected his 2,000th career strikeout during Friday’s Dodgers game.

Dexter Fowler received his World Series ring and collected a home run during his return to Wrigley.

MLB will be hosting a very odd home run derby in Hyde Park in London, featuring Shawn Green, Carlos Pena, and Cliff Floyd.

The Red Sox placed Eduardo Rodriguez on the 10-day DL.

Kevin Pillar is donating his forfeited salary to LGBT groups after he was suspended for using a gay slur during a game.

Yesterday at AA

Matt Varvaro took a trip down memory lane to look back at Johan Santana’s no-hitter on its fifth anniversary.

Daniel Convery handled the Daily Prospect Report.

Aaron Yorke previewed the Mets/Pirates series.

Joe Sokolowski delivered another edition of “This Week in Mets Quotes.”

This Date in Mets History

Back in 1980 the Mets drafted Darryl Strawberry on this date.