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Harvey set down the first 20 batters, and an infield single by Alex Rios with two outs in the seventh marked Chicago’s lone breakthrough.
Santiago permitted four singles, struck out eight and walked two. He also drew a few cheers from the crowd, having grown up as a Mets fan in nearby Newark, N.J.
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“Santiago was excited to pitch in Citi Field tonight. He had about 60 people in the stands and was overthrowing at first, but as he got tired, he got better,” Chicago manager Robin Ventura said.
Harvey struck out a career-high 12 and was pulled when the game went to extra innings. He threw 105 pitches through nine innings, 76 of which were strikes.
“Harvey was as advertised tonight,” Ventura said. “He was as dominant as anyone they’ve seen. He’s (Justin) Verlander-like — he has velocity, movement and his presence is as good as advertised.”
Pinch-hitter Mike Baxter lined an RBI single with one out in the 10th off Nate Jones (0-3). Mets reliever Bobby Parnell (3-0) struck out two in a perfect 10th. It was a most rare interleague matchup. Because of schedule quirks, the Mets and White Sox had played just three prior games since AL vs. NL action began in 1997. Only Texas and St. Louis have met so infrequently — they’ve played three games in the regular season, plus seven in the 2011 World Series.
It was nearly historic, too.
Harvey neared a no-hitter for the second time this season. He held Minnesota hitless for 6 2-3 innings on April 13 until Justin Morneau homered off the foul pole.
The White Sox hadn’t come close to a hit when Rios hit a grounder in the hole in the seventh. The crowd instantly gasped, sensing trouble.
