The New York Mets extended their losing streak to five games after being swept in a doubleheader by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The second game of the doubleheader saw the Mets commit six errors, contributing to a 10-5 loss and marking a particularly frustrating performance for the team.
The six errors committed by the Mets in the nightcap were the most they had recorded in a single game since 2014. This defensive struggle occurred despite the return of shortstop Francisco Lindor to the lineup. The team has now fallen nine games back in the National League wild-card race before the end of June.
Game Day Struggles
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Mets surrendered a multi-run lead for the second time that day. After Francisco Alvarez hit a solo home run, A.J. Ewing followed with a two-run blast, giving the Mets a 3-1 lead in the second inning. However, the Cubs rallied in the fourth. Nico Hoerner reached second base on a double, and a throwing error by Mets second baseman Marcus Semien allowed Carson Kelly to reach first. Pedro Ramírez then hit an RBI single, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch from starter Sean Manaea. Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong followed with back-to-back RBI singles, giving the Cubs a 4-3 advantage.
Mets pitcher Huascar Brazobán replaced Manaea. Mark Vientos tied the score at 4-4 with his 10th homer of the season in the bottom of the fourth. However, the Cubs regained the lead in the sixth when Brooks Raley gave up two hits and two runs after a double and a triple off the wall.
Late-Game Errors Seal Defeat
Bo Bichette narrowed the deficit to one run with a solo home run in the sixth inning. However, the Mets' defensive struggles continued. In the eighth inning, one of Vientos' two fielding errors allowed the Cubs to extend their lead to two runs. Crow-Armstrong reached second base after Vientos inadvertently threw the ball over reliever A.J. Minter's head while attempting to make an out at first.
The Cubs then scored three additional runs in the ninth inning to secure the victory. Every Mets infielder was charged with at least one error in the game, with Semien and Vientos each committing two.