Chicago Cubs scorecard filled with 4-6-3’s in loss to the Mets

It’s almost seemed like a joke. The Chicago Cubs put runners on, then quickly watched them be wiped away with a double play. It may only take one game for the offense to turn it around–but it wasn’t this game.

It seemed like a bad omen for the Chicago Cubs from the start. John Lackey allowed two deep fly ball’s to right field to start the game. While neither of them made their way out of the park, it was a sign of things to come. And for the New York Mets Jacob deGrom? He found a way to induce FOUR double play balls as the Mets won the opener of the series with a 6-1 win.

The Cubs (31-32) are still searching for whatever made them a potent offense last season. While they lead the league in walks, that’s about where it ends. The four double plays, as well as a 0-for-5 with RISP pretty much summed up the night. Lackey (4-7, 5.26) struggled to keep the ball in the park once again, allowing three home runs in his five innings of work.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

The Mets (29-33) got a superb start from deGrom (5-3, 4.33). The pitcher that failed to get out of the fourth inning in his last two outings? Nowhere to be seen as he went the distance with a one-run complete game. He walked four and struck out six, but the double plays eliminated the concern of the walks.

Asdrubal Cabrera went deep twice off Lackey, while Jay Bruce added another for his 17th on the year. The Mets added two more insurance runs off of Brian Duensing in the eighth to make it a 6-1 game.

Addison Russell was the lone offensive star as he hit his second home run in as many days with a solo shot in the seventh. But that was one of just the five hits the Cubs collected off deGrom as they fell to under .500 once again.

Next: Edwards is the one guy you need to cheer for

On Tuesday it will be Jon Lester (3-4, 4.13) taking on Zack Wheeler (3-3, 3.45) as the Cubs try to even up the series with the Mets. Game time is once again at 6:10 p.m. CT.