 has been one of baseball's biggest puzzles, transforming from a premier pitcher to baffled ballplayer. Two weeks ago, he was booed at Citi Field when he lasted just 2 2/3 innings against Washington. This time, fans started to stand and cheer when he got two strikes on Jose Abreu in the fourth, and the crowd gave him a huge ovation when he escaped the seventh-inning jam. With both teams wearing special Memorial Day uniforms with camouflage lettering and trim, Harvey struck out six and walked two to win for the first time since May 8. His fastball velocity was up markedly, and he threw 61 of 87 pitches for strikes. Harvey, pitching to backup catcher Rene Rivera for the first time this season, retired his first 13 batters before J. B. Shuck lined a single to left, and Shuck got doubled up when first baseman Wilmer Flores made a diving catch on Brett Lawrie's liner. Harvey didn't go to a three-ball count until facing Alex Avila in the sixth and was at 70 pitches through six innings, facing the minimum 18 hitters. Harvey pitched into the seventh for the first time this year. Adam Eaton walked on a 3-2 pitch leading off the seventh and Abreu grounded a single to left on the next pitch. After a mound visit from pitching coach Dan Warthen, Melky Cabrera sacrificed, Todd Frazier fouled out to first and Shuck grounded out, causing Harvey to make a small first pump as he walked off the mound. Harvey was coming off three straight losses in which he allowed 19 runs and 27 hits, and he struck out a career-low one last week at Washington. He worked on adjusting his mechanics when he threw to hitters before Friday's game, and he seemed to reach back more toward second in his windup before starting his arm toward the plate. In his only previous start against the White Sox, Harvey retired his first 20 batters before Alex Rios beat out an infield single on May 7, 2013, and that was the only runner he allowed over nine innings during a game the Mets won in the 10th. Addison Reed struck out two in a perfect eighth. After wasting a four-run lead in the Mets' win over Los Angeles on Friday and giving up a pair of ninth-inning runs in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers, Jeurys Familia got three straight outs to remain perfect in 17 save chances. He has converted 33 consecutive save opportunities dating to last season. Quintana (5-5) was almost as good but has lost four straight starts for the first time in his big league career. He allowed four singles before Walker led off the Mets' seventh with his 12th homer, a drive over the 370-foot sign in left. Chicago is on its longest slid since dropping eight straight from last June 12-19. The White Sox have lost 15 of 19 following a 23-10 start and were coming off a three-game series at Kansas City in which they wasted late leads each day. NOT A HITBrett Lawrie was hit on a hand on the ninth pitch of his at-bat against Harvey in the second, but first base umpire Sam Holbrook ruled he swungFIRSTSMets rookie Ty Kelly singled up the middle in the fifth for his first major league hit. COMING UP NEXTAcquired from San Diego last weekend for $1, first baseman James Loney reported to the Mets and will be active for Tuesday night's game. TRAINER'S ROOMWhite Sox: OF Austin Jackson was not available because of turf toe in his left foot. White Sox manager Robin Ventura hopes he can avoid the DL. Mets: Mets manager Terry Collins is worried 3B David Wright's neck injury might lead to a stint on the DL. UP NEXTLHP Steven Matz (7-1), who has won seven straight starts, is to take the mound Tuesday night or New York against Mat Latos (6-1). Because of a short outing caused by his ejection Saturday, Noah Syndergaard will be available in the bullpen for the Mets.
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Time: 01:10 P.M. EST Venue: Citi Field
Jose Quintana has lost his last three starts, yet his ERA remains in the top 10 in all of baseball. Matt Harvey has lost his last three starts and seen his ERA balloon to an embarrassing level. The Chicago White Sox's impressive No. 2 and the New York Mets' former No. 1 square off Monday with Chicago looking to end a crippling six-game losing streak. After Sunday's 5-4 loss in Kansas City, the White Sox (27-24) have been swept in consecutive series and their once formidable pitching staff is failing them. They've posted a 6.10 ERA and given up at least five runs in five of the six on the skid with the bullpen at 7.79. Ace Chris Sale isn't yet concerned after watching the bullpen blow another lead Sunday." We're too good of a team,'' Sale said. ''I can't tell you enough that this is nothing but a speed bump. ... This was as bad of a series as you could possibly have, and there's still no doubt in our minds that we're going to push through this and figure it out and find a way to get back and win some ballgames.'' Onto Quintana (5-4, 2.22 ERA), whose personal losing streak has come with a 4.19 ERA. The left-hander gave up three runs and five hits with eight strikeouts in Wednesday's 4-3 home loss to Cleveland. He was given one run of support for a third straight start, which is the same formula that turned him into an under .500 pitcher over the previous two seasons despite a 3.34 ERA. Quintana has never faced the Mets, but Yoenis Cespedes is 9 for 15 with four home runs, a triple and two doubles against him. Asdrubal Cabrera is 2 for 19. Harvey (3-7, 6.08) hasn't made it through six innings on his skid. The right-hander has a 10.80 ERA in his last three outings after giving up five runs and eight hits ??? three home runs ??? in Tuesday's 7-4 loss in Washington. The club has apparently been able to find something that's off mechanically as he works deeper into games, though they weren't specific when addressing it after working with manager Terry Collins, pitching coach Dan Warthen and a few players on Friday." The second time through the order, we're seeing things he's doing that are keeping him from having the ability to make the pitches he needs to make," Collins said. "We're seeing a velocity drop, and there is a reason for that. We're seeing a lack of a feel for his breaking ball." His one start against the White Sox had no such issues as Harvey gave up a hit and struck out 12 in a shutout on May 7, 2013. He was perfect until an infield single in the seventh inning. Longtime NL East foe Jimmy Rollins is 5 for 19 with two home runs and two doubles off Harvey. New York (28-21) will be happy to face anyone other than Clayton Kershaw after Sunday's 4-2 loss in which they managed five hits. Over a 2-3 span, the Mets are batting .172.
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