Matt Harvey allowed three hits over four scoreless innings for his second strong start following elbow surgery, and the New York Mets lost to the Boston Red Sox 4-3 Monday.
Hours after the Mets learned Zack Wheeler likely will need Tommy John surgery, Harvey made his third appearance since elbow ligament-replacement surgery in October 2013. He struck out three and walked none.
Harvey retired six straight batters, striking out three, in his spring training debut against Detroit on March 6, then allowed two runs and six hits over 2 2-3 innings versus Miami five days later.
Mookie Betts doubled and tripled for the Red Sox, raising his average to .435 with three doubles and two triples.
Doubles by Michael Cuddyer and Anthony Recker, and a single by John Mayberry Jr. gave the Mets a 2-0 lead in the second against Joe Kelly, who allowed three runs and seven hits in 2 2-3 innings.
Matt Spring homered in the sixth for Boston and doubled in the eighth. The 30-year-old has played in 647 minor league games dating to 2004 without making his big league debut.