The Mets (40-39) were defeated by the Cubs (41-35) by a score of 2-0 tonight at Citi Field.
After a 1,2,3 first inning from Bartolo Colon, Curtis Granderson singled to lead off for the Mets, but Jon Lester picked up a pair of strikeouts and got Daniel Murphy to ground out to end the inning.
Starlin Castro, who had just twelve extra-base hits coming into tonight, doubled in the second inning and advanced to third on a fly out from former Met Mike Baxter.
The next batter, David Ross, was intentionally walked to get to Colon’s opposite number, who holds the MLB record for the longest hitless drought to begin a major league career, (0-for-66 after tonight).
Ross collected his first stolen base of the year taking second, but Colon struck out Lester to strand the runners in scoring position.
In the bottom half of the second inning, John Mayberry doubled and advanced to third on a single from Kevin Plawecki. Juan Lagares was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with only one out.
In what has become a reoccurring theme for the Mets this season, they were unable to put a notch in the scorecard as Bartolo Colon and Curtis Granderson each flew out to end the threat.
Jonathan Herrera doubled to lead off the third inning to put immediate pressure on Bartolo Colon, but the 42 year old righty buckled down and set down the following fourteen hitters to face him.
Juan Lagares started the fifth inning with a ground rule double, and advanced to third later in the inning on a wild pitch from Jon Lester. Lagares would not score, however, as Ruben Tejada struck out to end the frame.
Bartolo Colon pitched seven strong innings for the Mets, in what was a much needed bounce back performance. Unfortunately, he would get a tough no decision, his first in 28 outings, which is the longest streak in franchise history. He allowed no runs on three hits, while walking one and striking out eight.
Jon Lester, matched Colon pretty much pitch-for-pitch, as he also went seven innings, allowing zero runs on five hits while also walking just one and striking out seven.
Colon was relieved in the eighth inning by Bobby Parnell, who let up a lead off single to Chris Denorfia, but quickly erased him as he made a tremendous diving catch on a bunt from Jonathan Herrera, and subsequently doubled off Denorfia at first. Dexter Fowler then flew out to end the inning.
Ruben Tejada reached first on a low throw to first from Starlin Castro that Anthony Rizzo couldn’t scoop. Tejada went first to third on a double from Daniel Murphy.
Darrell Ceciliani pinched hit for John Mayberry and attempted to lay down a suicide squeeze, but fanned on the play, causing Ruben Tejada being caught in a run down between third and home.
Daniel Murphy went from second to third, but both were tagged out as Tejada over ran the base on the way back, causing Murphy to go ahead of the lead runner, meaning that they were doubled off, and the threat had ended in what reminded me of a play from my little league days.
Darrell Ceciliani then struck out to end the inning. You can see the disastrous double play here.
Jeurys Familia came on in the ninth inning to keep the game at a stalemate, and served up a double to Anthony Rizzo.
Kris Bryant struck out, but Chris Coghlan was intentionally walked to put runners on the corners with one out. The Cubs then attempted a double steal, and the throw to Murphy at third base actually beat Anthony Rizzo to the bag. His slide was unorthodox, however, and he dodged the tag.
Terry Collins challenged the play, but the call on the field remained, as Rizzo did in fact beat the tag.
Thankfully, Jeurys Familia got Starlin Castro to fly out and Mike Baxter to ground out to keep the game scoreless.
The Cubs finally broke the scoreless tie in the eleventh inning, as Carlos Torres was ineffective, walking Dexter Fowler to start the inning, then serving up a series of singles to force across the first run.
Sean Gilmartin was brought in with runners at first and second with two out. Mike Baxter then walked to load the bases, and Miguel Montero drove in the second run with a single to right field. Addison Russell then grounded out to end the inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the eleventh, Darrell Ceciliani singled, and took second on defensive indifference. Justin Grimm then threw a wild pitch to advance Ceciliani to third.
Wilmer Flores walked, but it wouldn’t matter as Kevin Plawecki struck out looking to end the game.
I’m going to avoid sounding like a broken record tonight, as you guys know how I feel about the Mets offense, or lack their of. All I’m going to say is you know the old baseball adage: You can’t win if you can’t score. Yup. It’s become the story of the Mets season. 20th time in 79 games this season the Mets have been held to one run or less. But, the Mets brass will stand pat like usual, so get used to it.
On deck:
The Mets will look to salvage the final game of the series from the Cubs tomorrow. Jacob deGrom (8-5, 2.15 ERA) takes on Jake Arrieta (7-5, 2.94 ERA) at 1:10 PM.
