Matz picks up torch for offensive-minded Mets rotation

LOS ANGELES — Like those on every National League team, Mets pitchers harbor a friendly rivalry regarding their hitting. When Bartolo Colon famously homered Saturday in San Diego, Jacob deGrom called it “the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.” After Matt Harvey doubled high off the center-field wall one day later, Colon quipped that he needed to rededicate himself in the weight room.

Unsaid was the fact that, in his young career, rookie Steven Matz is already among the most accomplished hitters of the bunch. Matz’s RBI double in the sixth inning on Monday night not only extended the Mets’ lead in a 4-2 win over the Dodgers, but also gave him six hits and six RBIs in 12 career starts. Mets starting pitchers have knocked in four runs this season, sixth-most in the NL, and they’ve scored five times.

Much of that production has come over the past three days, during which Mets pitchers are 4-for-9 with a single, two doubles and Colon’s home run.

“I think we all take pride in it,” said Matz, who also delivered six innings of two-run ball to improve to 5-0 with a …

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