Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Photo Credit: Getty Images / Stacy Revere

The Atlanta Braves rallied and defeated the New York Mets by the final score of 5-4 at Champion Stadium this afternoon. For a full box score recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_03_08_nynmlb_atlmlb_1#game=2016_03_08_nynmlb_atlmlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

Game Notes:

• In Matt Harvey’s spring debut, he threw 3 innings allowing 3 hits on 1 ER with 2 walks and 1 K.
• In Juan Lagares return to the Mets lineup, he went 2-2 with 2 RBI’s.
• Wilmer Flores had a day at the plate going 3-3 with an RBI. He also committed an error in the field.
• Michael Conforto was 1-2 with a run scored.
• Travis Taijeron was 1-2 with a strikeout. Taijeron is still hitting a scorching .429 this spring.
• Ruben Tejada had a rough day at the plate going 0-3 with 2 K’s. He is batting a lowly .100 so far this spring.
• Rafael Montero pitched a inning of relief allowing 2 hits and an ER.

Happy Harvey Day everyone! Matt’s first start on the mound was good not great. Harvey breezed through the first inning with only 7 pitches thrown, and then found himself in a jam due to a Flores throwing error in the second. Harvey escaped the second inning jam with a 4-6-3 double play. He was soon in another jam, after loading the bases with a pair of singles and a walk, with one out in the third. Nick Markakis drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and a nice throw by Roger Bernadina nailed the runner advancing to third to get out of the inning. Harvey’s velocity constantly sat around 95-96 MPH this afternoon for his first start. A major contrast to his debut last season where he was throwing 99 MPH, which was extremely nerve wrecking for his first start back off a major operation. All in all can’t wait for Harvey Day’s to start counting in the standings, as I expect a big season out of Matt this year, especially with the further development of his nasty slider.

Lagares & Flores each had great days at the plate. It seems the Wilmer Flores chant is making its way around different Florida parks all spring as Mets fans were very enthusiastic to see him today, and he delivered when literally called upon.

Emilio Bonifacio capped off a  2-run, 9th inning rally by the Braves with an RBI single to come back, and defeat the Mets this afternoon. A known Mets killer, Bonifacio has 5 hits in 7 at-bats against the Mets this spring.

• The Mets return to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Yankees at 1:10 pm et. The game can be seen on SNY, MLB Network, and MLB.tv. The game can also be heard on WOR 710 AM.
• RHP Jacob deGrom will make his spring debut against Yankees RHP Ivan Nova.