The Chicago Cubs (57-37) defeated the New York Mets (50-44) by a score of 6-2 Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Offense:
The 4th inning featured some two out hitting by the Mets, with James Loney and Travis d’Arnaud both knocking singles. Kelly Johnson then singled to center field (A HIT WITH RISP AND TWO OUTS?? NO KIDDING!), however an amazing throw from Jason Heyward in center field cut down Loney at the plate to end the inning.
The Mets got something going in the 7th off Kyle Hendricks, when Travis d’Arnaud led off with a walk and Kelly Johnson followed with a base hit to center. After a mound visit, Juan Lagares then popped a ball into foul territory on which Javier Baez made a spectacular play sprinting from second base to the tarp to make the catch down the first base line.
With one out, the Cubbies brought in Carl Edwards to face Michael Conforto, who lined one to the second baseman for the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Jose Reyes worked a one-out walk in the 8th, then with two outs, Wilmer Flores seared a line-drive home run over the left field wall to decrease the Cubs’ lead to 6-2.
The Cubs tossed closer Hector Rondon out there for the third straight game despite it not being a save situation. After Travis d’Arnaud popped out, Kelly Johnson smacked a base hit, his fourth of the day. He advanced to second on a wild pitch before Juan Lagares went down swinging for the second out. Michael Conforto then flew out to center to end the game.
Pitching:
Bartolo Colon started for the Mets, and it was an uphill battle for him all day. An Addison Russell 2-run single in the first and two Anthony Rizzo home runs were the big blemishes. He pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on 8 hits, two walks, and a hit batsman.
Colon was relieved by Antonio Bastardo who came in to face Miguel Montero in the 5th with runners on first and third with one out. He struck out Montero with three straight sliders, but then Javier Baez singled to left to make it 6-0 Chicago. He then struck out Kyle Hendricks to end the inning. He then pitched a perfect 6th.
Erik Goeddel came in for the 7th, and immediately struck out Willson Contreras with three nasty splitters. Jason Heyward blooped out to Kelly Johnson in shallow right-center field, but then Addison Russell singled to center to reach base for the 4th time today. Miguel Montero popped out to end the inning, Cubs still leading 6-0 after 7.
Addison Reed pitched the bottom of the 8th and worked around a lonely base hit for a scoreless inning.
Notes:
Verizon Trivia Question: Which Mets player has hit the most home runs at Wrigley Field all time?
It was a grueling day for Travis d’Arnaud, who took a foul ball right off the cup in the first inning. He was down for the count but stayed in the game. Howie Rose, our esteemed radio announcer, had this to say: “If he wants to sing karaoke anywhere tonight, he’ll probably be doing it soprano.” He then started off his game on a high note with a double in his first at bat and a single in his second. So that comes out to a total of four balls hit hard.
In only 41 July at bats, Wilmer Flores has now hit 7 home runs, which is second in the Major Leagues. He is batting .341 during that span.
Zack Wheeler will pitch off a mound for the Mets staff Friday in Miami. He still has a full rehab assignment ahead of him which could last as long as a month.
Kelly Johnson, who went 4-4 today, saw only 8 pitches to do it. Since rejoining the Mets, he has hit .339.
Yoenis Cespedes, Neil Walker, and Asdrubal Cabrera all had the day off despite tomorrow being an off day for the team.
Verizon Trivia Answer: Howard Johnson (19 Home Runs at Wrigley)
On Deck:
At 7:10 PM on Friday, The Mets will send Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.21 ERA) to face off against the Marlins’ Adam Conley (6-5, 3.61 ERA) at Marlins Park.
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