Starlin Castro HR in 9th snaps Chicago Cubs 3-game losing streak

The Chicago Cubs wasted seven innings of two-hit ball from Jake Arrieta and left the bases loaded in the eighth, but Starlin Castro led off the ninth with an opposite field home run off Jenrry Mejia to snap a three-game losing streak Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.

Castro’s homer was his 13th of the season and only his seventh extra base hit in his last 39 games. He had just two from July 5-31.

Ruben Tejada singled and Curtis Granderson reached on a throwing error by first baseman Anthony Rizzo, then shortstop Castro flipped Juan Lagares grounder to second base man Javier Baez, who turned a double play to end the third.

The Cubs got on the board in the fourth. Baez drew his first major-league walk, then two outs later scored on Luis Valuena’s single to open a 1-0 lead.

Arrieta held the Mets off the board then Pedro Strop entered in the eighth. Tejada singled to lead off the eighth and scored on Curtis Granderson single to tie it.

Hector Rondon earned his 17th save on the year with one strikeout in the ninth.

Kyle Hendricks (4-1, 1.73) will start for the Cubs and the Mets will counter with Bartolo Colon (11-10, 3.85) Monday in the series finale at 11:10 a.m. CT on CSN.

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