THE EDGE
CHICAGO — On the night the Mets’ postseason dreams were officially crushed, it seemed fitting Seth Lugo had his worst start, the bullpen imploded and the team lost two players to injuries. Amed Rosario (tight hip flexor in his right leg) and Travis d’Arnaud (twisted right knee) left the Mets’ 14-6 loss to the Cubs in the middle of the fifth inning. It was the Mets’ entire season all wrapped up in one game.
It was the fourth straight loss for the Mets, and it mathematically eliminated them from the NL wild card. They also dropped to a season-low tying 20 games below .500.
Lugo went just three innings, the shortest start of his career, allowing a career-high eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits. He walked one and struck out four. And then there were the injuries. Rosario hurt his leg in the second inning sliding into second base.
“It just feels like something that is a little annoying,” Rosario said, but it “doesn’t feel like anything serious.” He said he would see how he feels Friday and hoped to be able to play. D’Arnaud slid awkwardly on the infield grass trying to get a bunt in the second. He remained in the game and looked fine when he ran to first trying to beat out a groundball but was removed immediately after.
“It progressively got worse as the game went on,” d’Arnaud said, adding that he expects to be able to play Friday. “
The bullpen continued to struggle. Josh Smoker gave up one run, Jerry Blevins one and Paul Sewald three, none earned. Jeurys Familia and Chris Flexen each pitched a scoreless inning. The bullpen gave up 22 runs in the three-game series.
Kris Bryant’s slick barehanded grab off the bounce and bullet of a throw to first base to get Jose Reyes in the fourth inning.
The Cubs’ five-run fourth inning, highlighted by back-toback-to-back doubles from Jon Jay, Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo not only finished 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and two RBI, he stole two bases.
METS AT BRAVES STAT OF THE DAY
Friday, 7:35 p.m. TV: SNY. Rafael Montero (59, 5.05) vs. Sean Newcomb (2-8, 4.38) The Mets gave up 39 runs in the series, the most they’ve allowed in a three-game set.
UNSUNG HERO
Dominic Smith hit his seventh homer of the season and finished 2-for-3.
The bullpen allowed six runs Thursday and 22 in three games against the Cubs.