: Pitching in the World Series, hearing the chants at Citi Field, becoming the Dark Knig

NEW YORK (AP) — The glory days with the Mets http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-max-muncy-jersey , those are still fresh for Matt Harveyht.So are the bad times: Suspended for failing to show up at the park, getting hit hard, being banished to the bullpen.“I remember a lot of cheers,” the former ace said. “I do remember some boos.”Traded to Cincinnati for catcher Devin Mesoraco on May 8, Harvey returned Monday to the stadium he once ruled. He’s not scheduled to pitch in the three-game series.“That was interesting, not pulling into the players’ lot,” he said.A 45-second video tribute to Harvey before the game drew a mixed reaction from the crowd. It ended with the message “Thank you Matt” as both Reds and Mets players applauded.Sitting in the dugout, Harvey waved to a camera and tipped his hat.“I want people to know I do regret a lot of mistakes I made,” the 29-year-old said earlier, adding, “Obviously, I never wished it ended like that.”As Harvey walked into short left field for pregame throwing with other Reds pitchers, a small cluster of fans called to him.“Dark Knight!” a couple shouted.Harvey’s rise to stardom was meteoric, even by New York standards.Promoted to the majors in 2012, he started the All-Star Game at Citi Field the next year. That same season, there was a memorable night when he outpitched Washington ace Stephen Strasburg and Mets fans kept chanting “Harvey’s better!”By then, the hard-throwing Harvey was already a fixture in the tabloids Hyun-Jin Ryu Jersey , dating models, rooting on the Rangers at Madison Square Garden and living the New York life.His zenith came in 2015, when his two playoff wins helped put the Mets in the World Series. The ballpark never sounded louder when he took the mound in the ninth inning of Game 5 with a 2-0 lead over Kansas City.“The highs definitely took things to a different level,” he said.But after a walk and a hit, it all fell apart for the Mets, and Harvey. The Royals rallied to tie it, and eventually won in the 12th to take the crown.After that, Harvey was never quite the same.Having missed the entire 2014 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he became beset by injuries. Surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, shoulder trouble and other ailments added up, and took their toll.“I definitely gave it my all, and my body definitely couldn’t handle it,” he said.Harvey said the struggles and frustration and frequent injuries mounted so much, there was a time “I really didn’t know I was going to continue playing the game.”Harvey mentioned the mistakes he made a couple times, without detailing them. But after starting out 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in four starts and four relief appearances this year, the Mets had seen enough.Three months ago, they traded him.“There was a lot of tears, a lot of sadness. It was tough,” he said.Harvey has resurrected himself http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-max-muncy-jersey , somewhat, with the last-place Reds. He’s 5-5 with a 4.79 ERA in 15 starts for Cincinnati, and there’s talk that he might get traded before Sept. 1 to a playoff contender.“I just think I needed to throw and be out there and pitch,” he said. “I appreciate the Reds organization for giving me a chance.”Harvey said he felt “a lot of different emotions” returning to Citi Field. He’s close with Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki, among other former teammates.“Had such good memories here,” he said.Cincinnati interim manager Jim Riggleman said Harvey started with a clean slate when he joined the Reds.“You hear stories, but that was so far from anything that would’ve concerned us,” Riggleman said. He described Harvey’s performance on and off the field as “top flight.”And Riggleman predicted more of those special moments are in Harvey’s future.“He’s still recovering,” Riggleman said. “He may be better next year.” OAKLAND, Calif. — The New York Yankees look to take a giant step toward hosting the American League wild-card game when they go for a second straight win against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.After the A’s (83-57) gained a game in the wild-card race with a 6-3 victory in the series opener Monday, the Yankees (87-52) rode the strong pitching of J.A. Happ and their Aroldis Chapman-less bullpen to a 5-1 victory Tuesday night that restored their 4 1/2-game lead.A Yankees win Wednesday would not only allow them to win the series 2-1 and the season series 4-2, but also put them 5 1/2 games up with 22 to play.Article continues below ...New York will send right-hander Luis Severino (17-6, 3.32 ERA) after the important win, while Oakland counters with righty Mike Fiers (10-6, 3.38) in what could be a preview of the pitching matchup should the clubs meet again in the single-elimination October affair.Severino dominated the A’s in an earlier matchup this season in New York, allowing one run and five hits in six innings. He struck out the heart of the Oakland order — Jed Lowrie, Khris Davis, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman — in succession bridging the first and second innings.The 24-year-old has pitched once previously in Oakland and did not get a decision, giving up four runs in six innings in a 7-6 loss in June 2017.All told Mike Piazza Jersey , he’s 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA in three career starts against the A’s.The A’s managed two hits off Happ on Tuesday, one being Stephen Piscotty’s 22nd home run of the season.Piscotty will take the field for the series finale riding a seven-game hitting streak, with four home runs and 11 RBIs over that stretch.He’s never faced Severino in his career.Fiers, meanwhile, will be looking to keep the A’s unbeaten in his starts since being acquired from Detroit last month. He’s 3-0, with Oakland having gone 5-0 with the new staff ace on the mound.The 33-year-old split a pair of decisions against the Yankees earlier this season while with the Tigers, allowing a total of seven earned runs in 11 1/3 innings. Aaron Hicks has homered twice off him this season and Giancarlo Stanton once.Fiers has started five times against the Yankees in his career, going 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA.The Yankees feel so good about their situation, much of their attention was focused on Tuesday’s pregame festivities.Aaron Judge, who suffered a broken right wrist July 26, put on a loud show in the underground batting cages in Oakland for the second straight day.“I really didn’t feel too much of anything,” Judge said of the pain. “It’s still broken, so there is some soreness that comes with that. But for the most part, I’m feeling great.”The Yankees hope to get Judge back by mid-month. Well before that, they expect shortstop Didi Gregorius to return from his bruised left heel.He took grounders and ran the bases Tuesday, with his sights set on a return Friday night in Seattle.