The Mets pounded the Cubs by the score of 18-5 this afternoon at Wrigley Field to salvage the weekend series and avoid the sweep.

Game Summary

The Mets bats exploded today as they pounded out 21 hits, drew six walks and scored 18 runs in a cavalcade of offensive exploits by everyone in the lineup. The Mets scored five runs in the fifth, eighth, and ninth innings.

The biggest contributions came from the eighth and ninth spots of the lineup. They were responsible for an incredible ten RBIs, including five ribbies from Ruben Tejada alone, who also connected for his first major league home run.

Carlos Beltran and Ike Davis both had tremendous efforts and combined to go 6-10 with three walks, five runs scored, and four RBI. Ike also hit his 17th home run of the season. Both players have really turned it on this month and are in a groove.

Seven different Mets had two or more hits in the game. What made it all the more impressive was that neither Jose Reyes or David Wright played in the game. Reyes is still nursing an injury, and Wright had the day off.

Jon Niese was the recipient of all this offensive love and he needed it after allowing five runs and eleven baserunners in six innings pitched. Niese also chipped in a couple of hits today and drove in two runs. In his last three starts, Niese has allowed 20 runs and 31 baserunners in 16.1 innings.

Dessens, Feliciano, Acost and Parnell all worked out of the bullpen and kept the Cubs scoreless after Niese departed.

Nice to see such a great effort despite two core players out of the lineup, and post season hopes dashed. Give these guys a nice hand.

Notes

Johan Santana has been bumped from his next start despite all the glowing reports. Manuel told reporters that rookie Dillon Gee will make his Major League debut and get the start on Tuesday against the Nationals.

Jose Reyes played catch and took batting practice before Sunday’s game against the Cubs, and Jerry Manuel was hopeful he might return to the lineup on Monday.

Game Ball

There were a lot of great performances today, but I’m giving it to the 20-year old Tejada, who had the game of his life. Nice job kid!

On Deck

The Mets open a three game series against the Nationals tomorrow night with Mike Pelfrey facing off against Jordan Zimmermann. Game time is 7:10 pm.