Mets Lost to Cubs 2-0 After Offense Gets Shut Down by Kyle Hendricks

Mets RHP Marcus Stroman (Photo Credits to Vincent Carchietta-USA Today Sports) The New York Mets lost to the Chicago Cubs 2-0 tonight at Citi Field to drop their record to 35=26, but still managed to take three out of four games in the series. RHP Marcus Stroman gave up a single to 3B Kris Bryant and then a two-run homer to SS Javier Baez in the top of the first inning, but settled down after that. Stroman gave up only two more hits after that and settled into a nice groove. He had sharp command and kept the ball down and used his sinker and slider. His final line was 7 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. RHP Jeurys Familia came in next in the top of the eighth and threw a scoreless inning. RHP Trevor May threw a scoreless top of the ninth inning. The offense didn't much and struggled all night against Cubs starter RHP Kyle Hendricks. They were 0-7 with runners in scoring position and left three men on base. The bats were kept off balanced by Hendricks off speed pitches including his change-up, curveball and cut fastball. They had great chances to score after a lead-off double by 3B Jonathan Villar in the bottom of the first and walks by 1B Pete Alonso and LF Dom Smith to begin the bottom of the fourth, but then were not able capitalize in either inning. In the bottom of the fourth, After Alonso and Smith's walk, catcher James McCann grouded into a double play and RF Billy McKinney grounded out to end the inning. The offense didn't do anything after that and the Cubs pithers retired the last 17 hitters they faced. The Mets next game is tomorrow night at the Washington Nationals at 7:05 p.m.