Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets hosted the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on Tuesday evening, the second game of a three game series. Jacob deGrom matched up with Adrian Sampson as the two starters of the game, and it was Sampson who out-dueled the two time NL Cy Young Award winner. The Cubs took the second straight game in New York by the score of 4-1.

The Mets offense could not get it going against Sampson.

After Brandon Nimmo led off the first inning with a walk, Jeff McNeil ripped a hard grounder towards the hole on the right side that caught Nimmo on the foot while he was trying to maneuver around it. Nimmo was called out for runner’s interference, and McNeil was awarded a single by ruling.

Pete Alonso stepped up to the dish and cracked a mile-high fly ball that curved just to the foul side of the left field pole. He ended up with a free pass to first. After the walk, Alonso and Sampson were seen jawing at each other. Nevertheless, Daniel Vogelbach grounded out and the scoring chance was squandered.

Ian Happ blasted a deep shot into the Coca Cola Corner to get on the board for the Cubs in the second inning. Rafael Ortega then reached base on an infield single, but deGrom was able to escape the inning without further damage.

The Cubs offense picked up a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Yan Gomes hit a sac fly that allowed Franmil Reyes to score. Patrick Wisdom picked up a RBI on a sacrifice bunt, allowing Happ to score, making it a 3-0 lead for Chicago.

Coming into the night, Jacob deGrom owned a 2-3 record in 10 appearances against the Cubs, posting a 3.13 ERA with 70 strikeouts. DeGrom was charged with three earned runs and the loss. Despite being on the long side, deGrom struck out 10 and only allowed 4 hits through 6 innings of work.

It was deGrom’s 39th straight start allowing three or less earned runs. He has tied the major league record, previously set by Jim Scott in 1913-1914 as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

The Mets offense continued to be stymied by Sampson as the night went on. He threw six scoreless and only allowed two hits while striking out three. His control almost hurt him in the early innings, but he was able to bounce back with good control the rest of the game.

Through the first seven innings, the Mets recorded a measly two hits. Both of those hits credited to McNeil, who continues to swing a hot bat.

Seth Lugo, Adam Ottavino and Edwin Díaz finished out the finale three frames in that order. After getting the first two outs in the seventh inning, Lugo allowed a solo home run to David Bote that increased the Cubs lead to four runs.

Luis Guillorme singled on a line drive to center field to leadoff the bottom of the eighth inning, his first hit since being moved to the injured list after he suffered a groin injury on August 14. James McCann and the top of the lineup failed to bring him in.

Alonso took his frustrations out in the ninth on a deep drive into left-center field, reaching the second deck for a solo home run, his 34th of the season. Mark Canha worked a two-out walk two batters later before Eduardo Escobar flew out to end the game. Escobar snapped his 10-game hitting streak with an 0-4 night at the plate.

They’ve scored three runs in 18 innings against a bottom 10 pitching staff.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Game: Jacob deGrom

Jake didn’t have his A+ stuff in this one but managed to keep the team in the game through his six innings of work. With 10 strikeouts against the Cubs, he has struck out 10+ batters in 3 of his 8 starts this season. He also now has 56 starts in his career with at least 10 punchouts, four shy of tying Tom Seaver’s franchise record.

He was one of the select few Mets that made a big contribution to the losing effort.

On Deck

The Mets will again host the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m., when Drew Smyly will take the hill for Chicago. The Mets starter has yet to be officially announced. Presumably, it is between Trevor Williams and David Peterson for New York.