Matz: Command, not bone spur, culprit in loss

CHICAGO — Hours after Matt Harvey made things official on Monday, settling onto an operating table for season-ending surgery, Steven Matz took the mound in what seemed like an abnormally significant game for the Mets. The team was hoping to continue its recent dominance against the Cubs. More than that, the Mets were looking for affirmation that both Matz and Noah Syndergaard will be ready to perform for the balance of this season.

Matz did not provide his share in a 5-1 loss at Wrigley Field, giving up four runs over five-plus innings to bloat his ERA to 5.12 since June 1. After spending most of April and May ranked among the best pitchers in baseball in nearly every conceivable category, Matz has fallen headlong back to earth.

Perhaps thoughts of the bone spur in his left elbow, which will eventually require surgery, are wiggling their way into his mind. Perhaps, as Matz says, he’s just not executing. In either event, a Mets team that suddenly …

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