The following is a guest article written by Cameron LaBrutto.
On Thursday afternoon the Chicago Cubs completed a four game sweep of the New York Mets in excruciating fashion. The win gave the Cubs their first four game sweep of the Mets at Wrigley field since August 6-9 1992. The win also gave manager Joe Maddon his 800 career win. Jon Niese was on the mound for the Mets facing off against Cubs pitcher Travis Wood, both pitchers were hit hard and often.
The game started out great for the Mets, their bats finally woke up and gave starting pitcher Jon Niese five runs (which is incredible considering the recent complete lack of run support). Anthony Recker crushed 2 solo HR’s, Wilmer Flores added another solo HR going back to back with Recker. John Mayberry broke out of an 0 for 21 slump with a 2 RBI single. Niese gave up a solo HR to Dexter Fowler in the fourth cutting the Mets lead to 5-1.
Then came the bottom of the fifth inning and it was ugly. Niese become painfully ineffective and a throwing error from Flores began the downward spiral that would lead this heartbreaking loss. The Cubs put up a four spot in the inning, Soler lead off with a single, he was brought in by the next batter Matt Szcsur via a double center. Two batters later Addison Russell reached on a throwing error allowing Szcsur to score, cutting the lead down to 5-3 Mets. After a walk to Fowler, and back to back singles by Bryant and Rizzo, just like that the game was tied. Hansel Robles came in to relieve Niese in the seventh inning, after Kris Bryant pop fly, with Starlin Castro at bat, Anthony Recker allowed a passed ball which gave the Cubs the winning run, that’s right the Mets lost on a passed ball one night after losing on a walk they are just finding ways to lose.
The Mets are on their way back to New York to start a three game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets will be glad to get back to Citi Field where they have played much better on the year. Bartolo Colon will get the start for the Mets, going for his league leading seventh win. Colon will be facing Kyle Loshe. The Mets lead in the NL East has dwindled down to 1.5 games and the Nationals are on fire and knocking at the door. Game time set for 7:10, Let’s Go Mets!
Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer who has left 51 runners on base admits “I haven’t gotten the job done.”
Mets manager Terry Collins said of the Mets struggling offense “To be honest, that’s why some of those big guys are out there. This is when they need to step up. This is when the Michael Cuddyer’s and Daniel Murphy’s need to step up. This is when you need it most.”
Mets Lose 6-5 (20-15)
W: Strop
L: Niese (3-3)
S: Rondon
Highlights:
Top Second: Anthony Recker Solo HR
Top Fourth: Wilmer Flores Solo HR, Anthony Recker Solo HR (second of the game)
Top Fifth: Jon Mayberry- 2 RBI single scoring Herrera and Duda
Hitting:
Granderson: 2-5 with 2 singles
Duda: 2-4 with a single and a double, now 16-39 v lefties this year
Mayberry: 1-4 2 RBI single, breaking an 0 for 21 slump
Flores: 1-4 Solo HR, he is also the team leader with 5
Recker: 2-4 2 HR’s
Pitching:
Jon Niese: 6.1 IP, 6 Hits, 6 Runs, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K’s
Hansel Robles: 0.2 IP, 0 Hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Jack Leathersich: 0.0 IP, 0 Hits, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K’s
Erik Goeddel: 1.0 IP, 0 Hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Errors:
Wilmer Flores: Throwing (8)
Anthony Recker: Passed Ball allowing Dexter Fowler to score game winning run
