Mets’ Pitching Implodes Against Cubs as Losing Streak Reaches Nine Games
Kodai Senga and the New York Mets (7-12) took on the Chicago Cubs (9-9) looking to snap an eight-game losing streak. The rare Friday day game, which is a tradition at Wrigley Field, began at 2:20p.m. EST, kicking off a three-game series.
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Mets began the game with a new-look batting order, with Carson Benge leading off for the first time in his young MLB career. Despite the first two batters being retired, Francisco Lindor ripped a two-out double to left field at 105.2 mph to give the Mets a runner in scoring position. However, Luis Robert Jr. would fly out to center on the next pitch, spoiling the chance to get on the board early.
Senga took the mound in the bottom half of the inning, looking to bounce back from the worst start of his career. However, things unraveled quickly, much like his last outing. After retiring the leadoff batter, Senga would allow a walk and a base-hit to put runners on the corners with one out. A strikeout of Ian Happ with the ghost forkball gave the right-hander two outs in the inning. A Seiya Suzuki single drove in the first run of the contest, followed by a three-run home run from Moises Ballesteros. After finally recording the final out of the inning, the Cubs led 4-0 after the first.
The Mets got on the board in the top of the second inning. Three-straight hits, including a Francisco Alvarez infield single, an MJ Melendez single, and a Marcus Semien double, drove in a run. With runners on second and third with nobody out, Brett Baty struck out. Tyrone Taylor followed with a laser of a single off the ivy in left-center field that drove in two more runs. However, a Pete Crow-Armstrong throw gunned him out at second base. After a Benge flyout, the Mets trailed 4-3.
Looking for a shutdown bottom half of the second, Senga failed to deliver. After a one-out walk, Nico Hoerner blasted a two-run home run to left field, extending the Cubs lead. Senga would retire the next two batters, keeping the Cubs’ lead at 6-3.
Senga was replaced by Huascar Brazobán in the bottom of the fourth inning after just 65 pitches. His final line was 3 1/3 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, with his season ERA sitting at 8.83. Brazobán did not keep the Cubs off of the board. After inheriting a runner from Senga, he allowed hits to the next two batters. After a lineout, a Baty error on a routine ground ball at first extended the Cubs lead. A strikeout ended the inning, with the Cubs leading 7-3.
Sean Manaea entered the game in relief of Brazobán in the bottom of the fifth inning. The left-hander pitched a one-two-three inning, striking out two.
The Mets had something brewing in the top of the sixth after a Melendez hit made it first and third with two outs. However, Semien grounded out, ending the inning. Manaea continued his strong work in the bottom half of the inning, working around a hit to keep Chicago’s lead at 7-3.
Mark Vientos led off the top of the seventh with a pinch-hit single, snapping an 0-for-23 skid. However, nothing would come of it as the offense stalled once again. The bottom half of the inning was not as kind to Manaea. After retiring the first two batters, back-to-back doubles plated another Cubs run. Manaea allowed an infield hit and a walk, followed by a wild pitch that scored another Chicago run. After a sacrifice fly drove in another run, Manaea finally escaped with the Cubs lead ballooning to 10-3.
The Mets’ offense woke up in the top of the eighth. After Lindor hit a line drive that was ruled an infield single, Robert drove a double down the right field line. Alvarez hit a chopper to third that he beat out for an infield single, driving in Lindor. After a Melendez strikeout, Semien blooped a single into left that loaded the bases. However, Vientos grounded into an inning-ending double play, with the Mets only scoring one run in the inning.
Manaea’s outing continued to age poorly in the bottom of the inning. After allowing a leadoff single, the lefty allowed a two-run home run that extended the Cubs’ lead to 12-4 before working out of the inning. Manaea’s season ERA now sits at 4.50.
The Mets failed to score in the top of the ninth, with the final score being 12-4 Cubs.
Player of the Game: MJ Melendez
Despite the Mets’ well-documented struggles across the board, Melendez has been a quality addition to the lineup. Today, he went 2-for-3 with a walk, now reaching base in five of his eight plate appearances as a Met. With Juan Soto, Jared Young, and Mike Tauchman on the injured list, Melendez should stick around on the big-league roster along with veteran Tommy Pham.
On Deck
The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 2:20 p.m. EST in the middle contest of the three-game set in Chicago. Freddy Peralta will take the mound for his fifth start of the season, looking to build off of a solid outing last weekend against the A’s. He’ll face off against Jameson Taillon. The game will stream live on SNY and MLB.com, radio on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app.
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