The New York Mets dropped their sixth straight game Thursday night, falling 4-3 in 10 innings to the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field to complete a four-game series sweep. New York slipped to 34-47 after being swept by Chicago for the second time this season, while the Cubs improved to 44-37.
Freddy Peralta bounced back from his previous rough outing with one of his sharper performances of the year, holding Chicago scoreless through five innings while allowing just two hits. But a sixth-inning throwing error by Ronny Mauricio opened the door for the Cubs, who capitalized with three unearned runs. Michael Conforto delivered the first RBI single before Alex Bregman’s run-scoring double and Ian Happ’s RBI single put New York in a 3-0 hole. Peralta finished with 5.2 innings, allowing three unearned runs on five hits while striking out five.
The Mets answered immediately. Pinch-hitter Eric Wagaman launched a two-out, two-run homer in the sixth before New York loaded the bases, but Juan Soto grounded out to end the threat. Jared Young tied the game an inning later with a solo homer, his sixth of the season.
New York’s bullpen gave the offense every opportunity to complete the comeback. Austin Warren tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, Luke Weaver struck out the side in a dominant eighth to extend his scoreless streak to 22 innings, and Devin Williams worked a clean ninth. The Mets put the winning run on second in the bottom of the ninth but couldn’t deliver the decisive hit.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI double in the 10th provided the winning run for Chicago, and the Mets went quietly in their final at-bat.
The Mets return to Citi Field on Friday to open a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Rookie left-hander Zach Thornton (0-1, 8.31 ERA) is expected to face former Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler (7-1, 2.11 ERA).
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.