Update: Harper finally gets a hit against Harvey, ends his at-bat drought
UPDATE: The record did not last long. Harper singled to right for a base hit at the top of the third inning to finally bring an end to this drought.
Nationals superstar and reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper has hit 11 home runs and is hitting .252 in 119 at-bats this season.
Matt Harvey, on the other hand, has gone 3-5 this season with a 4.93 ERA entering Thursday's game against the Nationals, a far cry from his 2.71 ERA last year. He gave up five earned runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the Colorado Rockies, after which the Mets pitcher admitted, "I'm just not feeling comfortable throwing a baseball right now, so it's frustrating."
But all of that seems to fall by the wayside when the two face each other, as Harper can't seem to produce any positive results with Harvey on the mound.
Harper has had only three walks in his 23 previous career plate appearances against Harvey. He's been struck out seven times.
And at the top of the first inning Thursday night at Citi Field, Harper flew out to right field in his first at-bat against Harvey, leaving Harper 0-for-21 against Harvey.
Thanks to Harvey, Harper now has the dubious honor of joining Gordon Beckham-Wade Davis, Andre Ethier-Homer Bailey, David Freese-Feliz Hernandez, Jed Lowrie-Hector Santiago and Alexei Ramirez-Edwin Jackson for the most career at-bats without a hit by an active batter against an active pitcher.
The record did not last long: Harper singled to right for a base hit at his next at bat two innings later, putting an end to this record.
Harvey's struggles continued to plague him, as the Mets starter gave up seven runs in that third inning. He was promptly replaced by Logan Verrett.
