The New York Mets extended their losing streak to four games with a significant 10-3 defeat against the Chicago Cubs in the first game of a Wednesday doubleheader at Citi Field. This loss also marked the second consecutive game the Mets have lost to the Cubs in the four-game series.
Since the current losing streak began, the Mets have been outscored by a margin of 40-14. Their closest margin of defeat in this stretch was a four-run difference in Tuesday's 9-6 loss.
The Mets initially took a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Jared Young hit his sixth home run of the season, and Francisco Alvarez followed with a 437-foot blast to center field. However, the Cubs quickly responded in the next inning. An RBI double from former Met Michael Conforto and a two-run home run by Michael Busch erased the Mets' lead.
Mets starter Nolan McLean's performance was mixed. After loading the bases, he allowed Dansby Swanson to hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the fifth inning. McLean's outing concluded with seven hits allowed, six runs, two walks, nine strikeouts, two home runs, and two hit batters. He was replaced by Jonathan Pintario in the sixth inning.
Pintario struggled in relief, loading the bases in the eighth inning after issuing two walks and hitting a batter. Dansby Swanson then hit a grand slam, extending the Cubs' lead to a commanding 10-3.