Mets lose to Cubs, fall to under .500

New York — Kyle Schwarber entered as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning and wound up homering and driving in four runs as the Chicago Cubs rallied against a beleaguered Mets bullpen to defeat New York 7-4 Friday night.

The Cubs trailed 2-0 in the seventh before posting their fifth win in six games.

The Mets, who started out 11-1 under new manager Mickey Callaway, dropped below .500 for the first time this season at 27-28. They have lost seven of nine, including four straight at home.

Playing in front of a large crowd on a comfortable night, Mets relievers once again failed to hold a lead and spoiled a solid outing from starter Zack Wheeler.

Addison Russell led off the Cubs seventh with a single.

With a hit-and-run on, Tommy La Stella singled through the shift on the left side for his major league-leading 12th pinch hit, advancing Russell to third and chasing Wheeler.

Schwarber cut the Mets lead in half with a sacrifice fly off reliever Paul Sewald. Ben Zobrist followed with a tying double as a dejected Wheeler hung his head in the dugout. Zobrist reached base four times.

After Jason Heyward grounded out, Kris Bryant singled him home a run for a 3-2 lead.

Schwarber broke it open in the eighth against Sewald (0-4) with his 11th homer, hitting a three-run homer over the left-center field wall. Ian Happ added an RBI single in the ninth.

New York's bullpen is 1-7 with an 8.42 ERA over its last nine games.

Trainer's room

Mets: RF Jay Bruce was lifted in the fifth inning after experiencing lower back discomfort.