33 Matt Harvey, SP

Given how well Mets starter Matt Harvey's season (and career) has gone, expectations are high. So, although four runs in 6 1/3 innings might not be terrible for most pitchers, Harvey left the mound disappointed Wednesday.

"It was one of those days. I didn't execute," he told ESPN.com. "I didn't do a good job. I've got to be a lot better than that. Nine hits is unacceptable for me. Obviously, I wasn't happy giving up any runs. Today we needed a big win, and I wasn't able to do that." 

Harvey's first mistake was falling behind Reds' first baseman Joey Votto in the third inning. Votto homered on a 3-0 pitch to give the Reds their first lead. Despite the mistake, Harvey did not apologize for challenging the National League's leader in batting average and OPS.

"I'm not going to give in to anybody, regardless," Harvey said. "That's not really who I am. I'm not afraid to throw to anybody. I just didn't make my pitch. I need to be better."

Harvey struck out six and walked three; his ERA rose to 1.93, dropping him to fifth in the National League.

Mets starter Matt Harvey gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings in a no decision Wednesday against Cincinnati.

Harvey gave up nine hits and walked three batters, his first game of the season with more than 10 baserunners allowed. He struck out six.

The Mets have appealed to the league office to have one of the earned runs charged to Matt Harvey Friday changed to an unearned run.

Harvey allowed one run on an infield single and then shortstop Ruben Tejada had a throwing error, after which another run came around to score. The Mets contend that the second run should be unearned, as a result of the error.

"I didn't think it was an earned run," Mets manager Terry Collins told MLB.com Saturday .

If the ruling is reversed, Harvey would be charged with just one run in 7 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA to the season from 1.55 to 1.41. 

After receiving just six runs of support in his previous three starts, Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey had to take matters into his own hands Friday against the Cubs. Along with pitching 7 1/3 strong innings, Harvey also singled in the game-winning run in the top of the 7th, in a 3-2 win.

Harvey held the Cubs to just two earned runs in 7 1/3 innings, and even his two runs could easily been unearned, as they came to score on an infield single and throwing error in the first inning. He held the Cubs to just five hits overall and walked no batters, while striking out six.

Harvey improved his record to 5-0, while his ERA rose slightly, to 1.55. He will attempt to remain unbeaten in his next start, Wednesday against the Reds. 

After a mostly successful rookie campaign, the Mets shut down pitcher Matt Harvey after 10 starts last season, sealing his innings at 169 1/3 between the majors and minors. That amount represented an increase of 33 2/3 innings from his 2011 season, which covered his time at Class A and Double-A.

Now, it appears the club is facing another difficult decision regarding the emerging superstar as he has already logged 56 1/3 innings through eight starts, putting him on pace for 232 1/3 innings over 33 outings. The season is still less than two months old, giving the Mets ample time to determine whether Harvey will make a rare 60-inning jump and exceed 200-plus innings or if his season will be cut short again, especially if the team is not in playoff contention.

"It all depends on the individual and the composition of his individual innings," assistant general manager Paul DePodesta told ESPN.com. "Pitch counts, stress of pitches and rest all factor in the final equation. ... All of these factors and more will be taken into account as we move through the season with Matt, and all of our other young pitchers."