Mets starter Matt Harvey called his first outing back from surgery a "good first step'' -- even if his pitching line failed to reflect it.

Harvey, who underwent surgery last summer to address thoracic outlet syndrome, allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings in the Mets' 14-11 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday. He threw 39 pitches before manager Terry Collins pulled him with two outs in the second.