Castillo, Ruggiano HR; but Dan Straily falls in Chicago Cubs debut

Dan Straily served up seven runs, five earned, over 5 1/3 innings in his Chicago Cubs debut as the New York Mets posted a 7-3 win Saturday night at Citi Field.

Welington Castillo and Justin Ruggiano each hit lead off home runs, but it was not enough for Straily, who was making a spot start for the Cubs. The 25-year-old hurler was acquired from the Athletics on July 4, had not allowed an earned run in his last three starts with Triple-A Iowa.

Straily’s night started strong by retiring the side with two strikeouts int eh first. But Juan Lagares hit a ground-rule double to right with runners at first and second with one out in the second. Wilmer Flores followed with two-run single for a 3-0 lead.

Castillo hit his ninth homer of the year to center in the fifth off left-hander Jon Niese.

Straily hit David Wright then the Mets loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, and Straily then walked Matt den Dekker to force a run in. Straily was lifted in favor of Kyuji Fujikawa, who Lagares hit a fly ball to center that Arismendy Alcantara dropped for two runs to score. One run scored on the sacrifice fly and the other Alcantara’s error. The error snapped the Cubs errorless game streak at five. One batter later Niese grounded out to drive in another run.

Ruggiano homered to lead off the seventh then the Cubs loaded the bases on three consecutive singles. Pinch-hitter Ryan Sweeney lined a comebacker off Niese’s right arm for a run to score and end his night. Vic Black entered with no outs and forced Chris Coghlan to fly out to left as Cubs’ third base coach Gary Jones held the runners. Black then got Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo to pop out in the infield.

Starlin Castro went 0 for 4 to end his career high hitting streak at 14 games.

Jake Arrieta (6-4, 2.77) will start for the Cubs as they look for their first win of the four-game series against the Mets, who will counter with Rafael Montero (0-3, 6.12) at 12:10 p.m. CT Sunday on CSN.

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