Herrera, Montero homer in win
Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta continued to prove why he’s the ace of the Chicago Cubs, holding the New York Mets to just one earned run on five hits while recording seven strikeouts in the 6-1 win to complete the three-game sweep. Both infield Jonathan Herrera and catcher Miguel Montero backed up their starting pitcher by launching two-run shots late in the game.
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Herrera gave the Cubs (41-35) the 1-0 lead during the top of the second inning with a sacrifice bunt to Jacob deGrom, scoring outfielder Chris Coghlan from third base while advancing Chris Denorfia to second base.
Coghlan led off the inning with a six-pitch walk and later advanced two bases on a Denorfia single to right-fielder, Curtis Granderson after Mike Baxter popped out to Daniel Murphy for the first out.
Prior to today’s game, the Mets (40-40) offense have had runners in scoring position but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. After going 20-something innings without driving in a run, deGrom opened up the door by driving a long double to center field with only one out.
New York’s 27-year-old right-hander was moved over to third on a groundout by infielder Ruben Tejada and would score on an RBI ground-rule double off the bat of Granderson just moments later.
deGrom (8-6, 2.30 ERA) was removed from the ballgame, having allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits while issuing two walks and recording three strikeouts in 5 1/3 frames.
With the Cubs leading 2-1 in the fifth inning, first baseman and All-Star hopeful, Anthony Rizzo, recorded an RBI single on a soft fly ball to left field, allowing shortstop Starlin Castro to come around and score to make it 3-1.
Castro reached base safely on a single to Daniel Murphy and advanced to second base on a throwing error by New York’s third baseman that got by first baseman Lucas Duda.
Herrera – who was credited with an RBI in the second inning – recorded his first big fly as a member of the Chicago Cubs in the sixth inning which made it 4-1 with deGrom still on the mound.
Montero clubbed his 10th home run of the season in the ninth inning – bringing Rizzo around to score with him, making it a five-run ballgame and opening the door for Travis Wood to put in a little work on the bump.
Arrieta improved to 8-5 on the season with today’s win and bumped his ERA down to 2.80. They’ll return to Wrigley Field tomorrow to begin a weekend series with the Giancarlo Stanton-less Miami Marlins.