Mets Edge Past Cubs Behind Phenom Harvey

The Cubs offense jumped on highly touted Mets youngster Matt Harvey early in the first to answer a David Wright solo shot in the top of frame. Starlin Castro singled and Anthony Rizzo doubled with one out before Alfonso Soriano drove them both in. Despite a throwing error on the play by Met shortstop Ruben Tejada, the Cubs veteran left fielder was credited with an infield single.

Unfortunately for the Cubs and their fans, that is all the offense the North Siders could muster for the rest of the afternoon against Harvey. The New York righty would proceed to settle down and rationed just two more hits the rest of the way, finishing with six strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings pitched to improve to 5-0.

May 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) fields a bunt by Chicago Cubs left fielder Julio Borbon (20) during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets offense would nick Edwin Jackson for single tallies in the fourth and seventh innings to give Harvey and the bullpen the minimum run support needed to pull this win out. E Jax had a respectable appearance despite allowing seven hits and being hit with the loss. In what may be a sign that Jackson is coming around, the Cubs righty only issued one free pass after walking 17 batters in the month of April.

Chicago almost tied the game at three in the eighth inning. Darwin Barney, who continues to heat up after an ice cold start at the plate since returning from the disabled list, singled to lead off the bottom half and was bunted over to second by pinch hitter Julio Borbon. The consistent David DeJesus then singled to right, but Barney was thrown out by a country mile at the plate by non other than former Cub Marlon Byrd.

The Cubs went quietly in the ninth and now face the task of winning the last two games of the weekend series if they wish to extend their series winning streak to three.