WASHINGTON -- Mostly, the Mets have been so concerned about Matt Harvey's shrinking innings total because they need Harvey at his best down the stretch, pitching as often as he is able.
Neither part of that plan is working. In his first start since becoming embroiled in an innings-limit controversy, Harvey allowed seven runs over 5 1/3 innings Tuesday against the Nationals. His season total now stands at 171 2/3, within a few whiskers of the 180-inning total that Harvey's agent, Scott Boras, has insisted is a hard limit.
Michael Taylor knocked Harvey out of Tuesday's game with a sixth-inning RBI single, which center fielder Yoenis Cespedes flubbed in center field.