Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets went into Wednesday’s series against the Cubs at Citi Field looking to salvage the final game of the series after two straight underwhelming performances. David Peterson took the ball for the Mets and gave up five earned runs while only recording one out as the Cubs took the series finale 6-3.

Peterson was given the nod to start after Tuesday night’s game, and it didn’t take long for that decision to backfire on Buck Showalter. The Cubs’ first three batters all drew walks after working full counts. Peterson was able to strikeout Patrick Wisdom on a 3-2 slider to prevent the first run from coming in on four straight walks, but the next two Cubs followed with doubles to give Chicago an early 4-0 lead and put an end to Peterson’s night after just five batters.

Trevor Williams, the other pitcher who was an option to start this game, came in to relieve Peterson. He was greeted by an RBI double from Michael Hermosillo and an RBI single from Nelson Velázquez to extend the Cubs’ lead to 6-0.

Just as quickly as the Cubs went up by a touchdown, Williams found a groove. He struck out the final two batters in the first inning then struck out the side in order in the second inning.

The Mets found themselves in trouble again after an infield single and a bloop single put runners on the corners for the Cubs, but unlike Tuesday, the Mets were the beneficiaries of a poor call. Velázquez broke for second base, and Tomás Nido faked the throw to second before throwing behind the runner at third. Despite David Bote never moving from his spot in the batter’s box, he was called for interference when Nido bumped into him before throwing to third base.

After getting a break in the top of the third, Nido got the scoring started for the Mets in the bottom of the inning. The Mets’ catcher hit a home run to right-center field to cut the Cubs’ lead to five runs. For Nido, it was his second consecutive at-bat hitting a home run after not hitting any in his first 242 at-bats. He hit his first of the season in his final at-bat in Miami on Sunday.

The Mets got another run closer in the fifth inning. They seemed poised for a big inning after back-to-back singles from Eduardo Escobar and Darin Ruf, but Nido smoked a double-play ball right to Christopher Morel to erase any thoughts of a big inning. Fortunately for the Mets, Wisdom let a ground ball off the bat of Brandon Nimmo get under his glove to bring in the second Met run of the night.

Just as they did on Monday, the Mets’ bullpen gave the offense a chance to get the team back into the game. Williams finished his night throwing 4 1/3 innings and allowing just the one run in the first inning. He gave up four hits and a walk while striking out eight. Tommy Hunter followed with 1 1/3 perfect innings with two strikeouts, and Trevor May allowed just one baserunner on a misplayed fly ball single in his inning.

In the seventh inning, the Mets had another opportunity to get back in the game, but fell short again. With two outs, Luis Guillorme hit a pinch-hit single, and Nido followed with a single of his own. Nimmo, who has gone 0-for in the series, grounded out to strand the two runners.

Just one inning later, the Mets let another opportunity slip away. Mark Canha singled to start the inning with the heart of the order to follow, but Francisco Lindor followed with the Mets’ third double play of the night. Pete Alonso followed with his 35th home run of the year, but the Mets still trailed by three heading to the ninth.

After another scoreless inning from the bullpen in the top of the ninth, the Mets appeared to be on their way to finally giving themselves a shot to get back into the game. Jeff McNeil was hit by the first pitch, and Escobar followed with a deep drive to the gap in right-center field. Hermosillo and Seiya Suzuki both leaped for the ball at the wall, and Hermosillo came up with the catch while both players collided with each other and the outfield wall.

Guillorme followed with the Mets’ fourth double play of the night to close out a disappointing series for the Mets and a series sweep for the Cubs.

Player of the Game: Trevor Williams

He may not have been given the nod to start the game, but Williams ended up being the Mets’ most effective pitcher on Wednesday night. The veteran swingman came in with just one out in the first and gave the Mets 4 1/3 strong innings. He also set a career-high with six consecutive strikeouts between the first and third innings. Williams has thrived in every role the Mets have put him in this season, and his ERA on the year improved to 2.95 with the strong outing.

On Deck

The Mets will look to rebound from their disastrous series with the Cubs on Thursday at 7:20 p.m. ET when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. 

Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.80 ERA) will make the start for the Mets against JT Brubaker (3-11, 4.36 ERA) for the Pirates. Carrasco is coming off a strong outing on Saturday in Miami where he threw six innings allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six.

Carrasco, a former Roberto Clemente Award winner, will be making the start on the 50th anniversary year of the legendary right fielder’s passing. All players on both sides will be wearing 21 in Clemente’s honor.

The game will be broadcast on FOX, and the radio call will be on WCBS 880.