PHILADELPHIA — Steven Matz’s disastrous season took an uptick Saturday night, even if he couldn’t complete six innings.
The enigmatic lefty contained the anemic Phillies, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks over 5 ²/₃ innings in the Mets’ 3-1 loss at Citizens Bank Park that snapped the team’s two-game winning streak.
Considering Matz entered with an 11.03 ERA over his previous six starts, the Mets certainly will take what they received. Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis each delivered an RBI single in the fifth to account for the Phillies’ runs against Matz.
“I think there is still some room for improvement there, but a step in the right direction,” Matz said.
Yoenis Cespedes homered for the second straight night and gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the fourth. But the remainder of the lineup was silent against Aaron Nola and the Phillies’ bullpen — Amed Rosario and Asdrubal Cabrera had the team’s only other hits.
Dominic Smith, in his second major league game, finished 0-for-3 at the plate.
It still is unclear to general manager Sandy Alderson whether T.J. Rivera will return this season as he rehabs a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. Rivera, who has been working out in Port St. Lucie, could decide to undergo Tommy John surgery.
“To this point I think we have been very careful and conservative about his elbow,” Alderson said.
Ten days into his latest comeback attempt, David Wright hasn’t moved forward from limited baseball activities, according to Alderson.
Jacob deGrom reported no problems after a throwing session and is expected to start against the Yankees on Tuesday. The right-hander was struck in the right triceps by a line drive on Thursday and forced to leave the game in the seventh inning.