Matt Harvey threw 11 strikeouts in 5 1/3 scoreless innings (106 pitches) on the mound for the New York Mets on Thursday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He surpassed the previous Mets record of eight strikeouts by a debut pitcher set by Bill Denehy and Tom Seaver during the 1969 season.
The 11 strikeouts were the most by a debut pitcher in Major League Baseball since Stephen Strasburg famously struck out 14 in his 2010 debut with the Washington Nationals. Harvey gave up just three hits and three walks. His first walk didn't come until the fourth inning.
Harvey also thrived at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a single and a double. Needless to say at this point, he had a marvelous debut.
We will have to wait to see if Harvey comes away with his first major league win as well. The Mets lead 3-0 entering the seventh inning.
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