Starting pitchers failed the Mets miserably in the three-game losing streak they took into a Wednesday doubleheader with the Cubs at Citi Field. Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Freddy Peralta allowed seven, four and 10 runs, respectively, in the losses.
After throwing four scoreless innings, it looked like Nolan McLean would stop the bleeding. New York led 3-0.
But with two outs and nobody on in the fifth, the Cubs (42-37) went to work. Pete Crow-Armstrong singled, Michael Conforto doubled him in and Michael Busch tied the game at 3-3 with a two-run homer. An inning later, again with two outs, Dansby Swanson clubbed a three-run shot and the Cubs went on to a 10-3 victory.
McLean (4-5) gave up six runs on seven hits, walked two, hit two batters and struck out nine. His ERA jumped to 4.03.
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Swanson struck again in the eighth, with a a grand slam off Jonathan Pintaro that put the game out of reach. It was the third homer of the series for the No. 9 hitter who entered the game with a .640 OPS. He has driven in 11 runs in the last two games.
Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez delivered back-to-back homers in the fourth. Young hit a two-run shot to the opposite field and Alvarez sent one 437 feet to center (exit velocity, 106.5 mph). Young entered the game in a 2-for-26 slump. The 30-year-old ex-Cub’s homer was his fifth, a new career high.
Javier Assad (6-1) gave up three runs on five hits to earn the win.
The Mets (34-45) failed to score on two excellent chances early. They wasted a leadoff Carson Benge double in the first and after Alvarez and Brett Baty started the second with walks, Marcus Semien hit into a double play and MJ Melendez struck out.
New York had two on and none out in the sixth, but Eric Wagaman hit into a double play and Semien flew out. The Mets were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Juan Soto was out of the lineup after leaving Tuesday’s game with back tightness. Carlos Mendoza said before the game that Soto was getting checked out and could be available to play in Game 2.
Stats of the Game
The Mets are winless in five tries vs. the Cubs.
Per Anthony McCarron of SNY, Baty entered Wednesday fourth in MLB in batting average (.536, 15-for-28) on at-bats that end after the first pitch. He trailed Kyle Schwarber (.583), CJ Abrams and Nick Kurtz (both .556). “I think it’s just being aggressive to stuff that I’m looking for, and, if it shows up early, then hunt it,” he told McCarron. Baty’s two at-bats in this game both lasted more than one pitch.
Player of the Game
Alvarez went 2-for-3 with his seventh homer and a walk. It was his second consecutive game homering and he is 14-for-43 (.326 batting average) with three long balls in 12 games since returning from the injured list.
On Deck
The expected return of Francisco Lindor. Mendoza said before the game that he thinks the shortstop will play in Game 2. Lindor’s last MLB game was on April 22 when he strained his left calf running the bases. Sean Manaea (1-2, 4.64 ERA) has been good in June, posting a 3.10 ERA over 20 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts against three walks. Maybe he can stop the bleeding. Lefty Shota Imanaga (4-6, 4.26 ERA) goes for the Cubs. Game time is 7:10 p.m. ET on WPIX.
