Making it look easy: Matz wins 7th straight

WASHINGTON — Here was the devil’s bargain Mets manager Terry Collins faced with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday afternoon at Nationals Park. Reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper was at the plate, representing the tying run. Closer Jeurys Familia was ready to go in the bullpen.

Collins, instead, stuck with rookie right-hander Steven Matz. This was a big game for the Mets, as games in May go. But some things matter more than one victory.

“I think when you have a young player, there are certain situations where you have to challenge them. And that was one of them, for me. Look, if he’s going to be a big winner for us, if he’s going to pitch in big games, he’s got to learn how to get those guys out in tough situations,” Collins explained.

Two sinkers missed the strike zone, the second pitch in the dirt. Pitching coach Dan Warthen glanced over at the manager. “We’ll find out what he’s made of right here,” he said.

Harper took a called strike then grounded out to shortstop to end the inning. The Mets won, 2-0. They also learned a little more about the 24-year-old who is now 7-1 with a 2.36 ERA this season and 11-1 in 14 starts in his big league career; the Mets are 12-2 in those games.

Collins admitted that he’s been a little surprised at how easy Matz has made it look so far.

“A little bit,” he said. “But you know, when he came up ([ast season] I saw plus stuff. Now it’s a matter of making sure his health stays to the point where he can be consistent in going to the mound. Because I think he’s got a chance to win a lot of games.

“I think he believes he belongs here now. He knows he’s part of a very, very good pitching staff. We count on him a lot when he goes out there, and I think he can pick his game up. Maybe a lot of people don’t buy into it, …

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