The Chicago Cubs (19-15) completed the four game sweep of the Mets (20-15) this afternoon at Wrigley Field by a score of 6-5.
Anthony Recker got the Mets on the board in the second inning, as he launched a solo home run over the left field fence.
In the fourth, Wilmer Flores and Anthony Recker hit back-to-back home runs to put the Mets up 3-0. This was the first multi home run game for Recker in his career, and the first for a Mets backstop since Rod Barajas in 2010.
Dexter Fowler play a little long ball of his own in the bottom half of the fourth, a solo shot to left field.
In the top of the fifth, the Mets added two more runs after Dilson Herrera singled and Lucas Duda doubled, John Mayberry, Jr. hit a single up the middle to score them both. Before this hit, Mayberry was only hitting .097 on the season (2-28).
In the bottom half of the frame is when it all fell apart for the Mets. With a 5-1 to lead, Jon Niese who was pitching solid up to this point, let up four runs to tie the game.
Jorge Soler singled to lead off the inning, and was driven in on a double by Matt Szczur. Szczur reached third on a groundout, and scored after Addison Russell hit a grounder to Wilmer Flores, who committed an error throwing the ball to first, his ninth of the season. Dexter Fowler then walked to put runners on first and second with one out.
The next batter, Anthony Rizzo, singled to score Russell, and Fowler would score right after, on a Kris Bryant bloop single to right field. Niese would end the inning with the game tied by retiring the next two batters.
In the top of the seventh, Curtis Granderson singled and then stole second base, but the Mets failed to get him home, as the following three batters were set down in order.
Niese started the seventh, and let up a single to Dexter Fowler, and then hit Anthony Rizzo. This would effectively end his day. Niese’s final line has him going 6.1 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits, while walking one and striking out two.
Hansel Robles came on in relief, and got Kris Bryant to fly out. However, Fowler advanced to third on the play.
With Starlin Castro batting next, Hansel Robles threw a passed ball which enabled Fowler to score. This would turn out to be the deciding play of the game, putting the Cubs up 6-5 for good.
Daniel Murphy gave the Mets a good opportunity to score in the ninth inning, as he hit a pinch-hit single to lead off the inning. He advanced to third after two Johnny Monell and Curtis Granderson grounded out. Dilson Herrera struck out to strand Murphy at third and end the game.
Thoughts:
Well, this is a frustrating loss to end a frustrating series. In the last three games, the problem for the Mets has been about not being able to score any runs. In the one day they are able to score runs, Niese has a meltdown and can’t be the stopper the Mets so desperately needed. Travis Wood pitched horrendously for the Cubs and the Mets took advantage and put up a 5 spot against him, which should have been more than enough. I know you can’t pin this entirely on Niese, because this is a professional team that should be able to fight back should they lose the lead, but Niese’s performance is obviously a huge factor in the loss. This series was very disheartening, as the Nationals are now nipping at our heels, and the good days of earlier this season are seemingly a thing of the past. I know every time has their funks and rough patches, but this has been a reoccurring theme the last several seasons. Our pitching is good, everyone knows it, but our offense is anemic and something needs to be done about it. Now.
On deck:
Bartolo Colon (6-1, 3.30 ERA) takes on Kyle Lohse (2-4, 7.03 ERA) for the start of a three game series against the Brew Crew at Citi Field tomorrow night. First pitch is at 7:10 pm.
