Mets Lose to Cubs 4-1 After Offense Continues To Struggle

Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (Photo Credits to Vincent Carchietta-USA Today Sports)

 The New York Mets lost to the Chicago Cubs 4-1 tonight at Citi Field for their second consecutive loss and dropped their record to 89-54.

RHP Jacob deGrom started out well with a scoreless top of the first, but gave up a solo homer to LF Ian Happ in the top of the second.

deGrom had a scoreless top of the third, but ran into trouble in the top of the fourth. 

 He gave up singles to DH Franmil Reyes and Happ to start the inning and then pinch-hitter Michael Hermosillo hit  a sacrifice bunt and reached on an error by catcher James McCann which loaded the bases.

deGrom then gave up a sacrifice fly to catcher Yan Gomes and then 3B Patrick Wisdom hit a sacrifice bunt which allowed another run to score.

deGrom settled down after that with scoreless innings in the top of the fifth and sixth and was then taken out.

His final line was six innings, four hits, three runs, 0 walks and 10 strikeouts.

It was his 39th straight start allowing three runs or less which ties the major league record set by White Sox pitcher Jim Scott in 1913-1914.

He also has had 56 starts of at least 10 strikeouts, which is four shy of tying Tom Seaver's franchise record.

RHP Seth Lugo followed and gave up a solo homer to 2B David Bote in the top of the seventh.

RHP Adam Ottavino threw a scoreless top of the eighth.

RHP Edwin Diaz threw a scoreless top of the ninth.

The bats did not do much outside of a solo homer by 1B Pete Alonso in the bottom of the ninth. 

They managed four hits and have scored a combined three runs in the last two games against one of the top 10 worst pitching staffs in the league.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Wednesday September 14th at home against the Cubs at 7:10 p.m.