Chicago Cubs falter late, drop opener to the Mets, 4-3

The Chicago Cubs looked in control most of the game before letting it get away in the seventh after allowing three runs in the 4-3 loss to the New York Mets.

The

Chicago Cubs

got off to a quick start against

as

connected for his 22nd home run of the season in the first, but walks and an error hurt the Cubs in the later innings as they surrendered three in the seventh as they dropped the opener, 4-3. The rally in the ninth fell short as

was able to retire

and

The Chicago Cubs (51-27) got a strong outing from starter John Lackey (7-5, 3.27) who pitched 6 1/3 innings allowing just two runs, but Joel Peralta walked two before allowing an RBI double to Brandon Nimmo to cut the lead to 3-2. Pedro Strop then entered the game and got a slow chopper up the middle that Baez fielded and threw to third, but the ball got away from Bryant and the Mets scored two to take a 4-3 lead.

For the Mets (41-37), the win snapped a four-game losing streak while also breaking the Cubs three-game win streak. Matz went 5 1/3 innings allowing three runs with the two-run home run to Bryant in the first and a solo home run to Baez in the sixth. The Mets bullpen closed things out as Erik Goeddel (1-0, 1.08) picked up the win while Familia was able to hold on to earn his 27th save.

Next: Cubs bullpen still an issue

The loss once again exposed the concern about the Cubs bullpen, especially the gap between the starters and Strop and Hector Rondon. Peralta’s addition didn’t give the Cubs the help they needed as they’ll continue to look for answers as they near the second half of the season.

The two teams will go back at it tomorrow night as Jason Hammel faces off against Jacob deGrom at 6:110 PM C.T. at Citi Field.