Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets (25-24) lost to the Chicago Cubs (21-26) 7-2 on Tuesday night. Tylor Megill struggled against the Cubbies and failed to complete four innings. Meanwhile, rookie first baseman Matt Mervis dominated New York, driving in three runs from the ninth spot in the order.

The Cubs’ offensive showing started in the bottom of the second inning. Seiya Suzuki ambushed Megill by crushing the first pitch he saw for a solo home run, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Christopher Morel followed with a walk and reached third base after a ground-out and passed ball. Yan Gomes capitalized and drove home Morel with an infield single, increasing the Cubs’ lead to 2-0. Mervis then began his big night, smacking an opposite-field two-run home run to bring the Cubs’ lead to 4-0.

The Mets got one run back in the top of the fourth. With one out in the inning, Pete Alonso drove a solo home run to center field to cut the Mets’ deficit to 4-1. It was the Polar Bear’s MLB-leading 18th home run of the season, and his fifth long ball in the last seven games.

Chicago got on the board again in the bottom of the fourth, knocking Megill out of the game. The inning started with shaky defense from Tommy Pham, who dropped a fly ball and allowed Mike Tauchman to reach second base. Megill struck out the next two batters but couldn’t retire Mervis, who singled to right field to drive in his third run of the game, increasing the Cubs’ lead to 5-1. One batter later, Dansby Swanson singled to right field as well, ballooning the Cubs’ lead to 6-1.

Swanson’s RBI single ended Megill’s night in Chicago. The Mets’ right-hander struggled against the Cubs and allowed six hits and four earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. It was the first time in 2023 that Megill had failed to reach the fourth inning in a start.

New York had a chance to do damage in the top of the sixth. They loaded the bases with nobody out behind two singles by Brandon Nimmo and Eduardo Escobar, and a walk from Francisco Lindor. However, they only scored one run. Alonso grounded out to Patrick Wisdom for the first out, cutting the Cubs’ lead to 6-2. Then, with two runners on and one out, Daniel Vogelbach flew out for the second out, and Starling Marte grounded out to end the inning.

The Cubs added another run in the bottom of the seventh. After retiring Suzuki, Stephen Nogosek served up a solo home run to Morel, increasing the Cubs’ lead to 7-2. Morel is the first Cub to homer in five straight games since Sammy Sosa did it in 1998, and now has nine home runs in 49 at-bats.

The Mets were set down in order in the eighth and ninth inning, ending their five-game winning streak. Michael Fulmer — who was traded for Yoenis Cespedes in 2015 — faced the Mets for the first time in his career and got three ground-ball outs to secure the Cubs’ win.

Player of the Game: Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso was one of the few bright spots on Tuesday night. He drove in both Mets’ runs and hit his 18th home run of the season. Through 49 games in 2023, the Mets’ first baseman leads MLB in home runs (18) and the National League in RBIs (43).

On Deck

Kodai Senga takes the mound against old friend Marcus Stroman on Wednesday night. The Japanese product struck out 12 batters and allowed one earned run in his last outing against the Rays, recording his best MLB start to date. Meanwhile, Stroman was efficient in his last start against the Phillies and only allowed one run in six innings.

First pitch for Wednesday night’s game is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. The game will be available to watch on SNY and MLB Network (blackout restrictions apply), and available to listen to on WCBS 880.