Chicago Cubs vs New York Mets — Recap

📰Game Recap

The Chicago Cubs, entering play at 62-47, pulled off an unexpected upset against the favored New York Mets (47-63) on Thursday, largely thanks to an explosive second inning that set the tone for the entire contest. The game’s turning point arrived swiftly in the top of the second when the Cubs' offense erupted for five runs. Seiya Suzuki crossed home on a walk to Nick Kelly, followed by Ian Happ scoring on a sacrifice fly from Dansby Swanson. The rally culminated spectacularly with a 409-foot home run to right-center by Pete Crow-Armstrong, bringing home both Kevin Shaw and Kelly and staking Chicago to an early 5-0 lead.

The Mets, however, showed immediate signs of life in the bottom half of the second, with Francisco Alvarez singling to center to score Brett Baty and Bo Semien, cutting the deficit to 5-2. But the Cubs were far from done building their advantage. Dansby Swanson, who was a force at the plate all afternoon, extended Chicago's lead further in the top of the fourth with a 380-foot home run to left, scoring Kelly and pushing the score to 7-2. Meanwhile, Cubs starter Edward Cabrera delivered a solid outing, allowing just two earned runs over 5.0 innings while striking out four, effectively navigating the Mets' lineup through the middle frames.

New York attempted to claw their way back in the seventh inning when Alvarez launched a 403-foot solo home run to center, making it 7-3. But Chicago responded in the eighth, adding crucial insurance runs. Kelly doubled to left, scoring Nico Hoerner, and then Swanson continued his stellar performance with a double of his own to left, driving in Kelly and bringing the score to 9-3. The Mets mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth, as Carter Benge singled to right, scoring Baty, before Bo Bichette connected on a 388-foot two-run home run to right-center, bringing home Benge and narrowing the gap to 9-6. Despite the late rally, the Cubs held on for the upset victory, clinching the game 9-6 with Swanson leading the charge, finishing with two hits including a home run, four RBI, and a run scored.