BIG APPLE PANCAKE
LESTER THE LATEST STARTER TO STRUGGLE AS METS COMPLETE SWEEP
NEW YORK — No big deal? It’s only July? These losses don’t matter because they’re not “big boy” games like the ones in October?
Don’t believe it. This rematch in New York mattered to the Cubs.
And when the Mets re- enacted last fall’s playoff sweep with a fourgame weekend sweep over the Cubs at Citi Field, it came with a familiar look and sting.
“Obviously, we probably were too excited about playing them again and kind of [ looking for] revenge for what happened in the playoffs,” catcher Miguel Montero said. “Which I don’t think’s the smart thing to do. You’ve just got to play your game and forget. It’s already over.”
Jon Lester ( 9- 4) was clobbered for eight quick runs in a 14- 3 loss Sunday that finished off the worst series the Cubs have played this season.
Even before Sunday’s game, manager Joe Maddon said the series felt familiar, mostly because of the Cubs’ inability to handle the Mets’ power pitching. And more than any feelings of revenge or pride, that’s what makes the Cubs’ lost-in- NewYork weekend significant.
The Cubs are without leadoff man Dexter Fowler ( hamstring) and a few other injured hitters, but their on- base production has declined steadily since a torrid April, despite Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist all still in the lineup.
“We’re not at our normal ‘ depthcon’ right now,” Maddon said of a team that has lost 10 of 14 — and 10 of 11 in that stretch against teams with winning records and good pitching. “If we had been playing with full gorilla mode, I’d be a little bit more concerned, probably.”
Even if Sunday’s rout was an aberration, the Cubs’ MLB- leading rotation got beat up by a depleted Mets lineup that ranks among the worst in the majors. The rotation’s ERA jumped 34 points ( to 2.88) in just three days as Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta and Lester all struggled.
The Cubs hit the midpoint of the season Sunday still clinging by percentage points to the best record in baseball and still on pace to win 102 games. But they haven’t been the best team for at least a month, going just 12- 15 in their last 27, with series losses to the Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Mar- lins — all potential playoff foes.
“We’re confident. We’re fine,” said Lester, who recorded just four outs in the shortest start of his career. “It’s not a matter of anybody in this clubhouse panicking by any means.”
Sunday got so out of hand so fast that ...
† Lester added 64 points to an ERA ( now 2.67) that ranked second in the majors when the day began.
† Jeimer Candelario, making his major- league debut at third base for the Cubs, saw a 100 mph fastball as his first pitch and struck out twice before delivering his first hit against the same pitcher, Noah Syndergaard, in the seventh inning. “It was exciting,” said Candelario, who was called up Sunday when Chris Coghlan ( ribs) went on the disabled list.
† At one point in the eighth, a relief- pitching catcher ( Montero) faced a pinch- hitting pitcher ( Jacob deGrom).
† The Cubs got a hit with a man in scoring position for the first time in the series, in the first inning, only to go 1- for- 10 in that situation the rest of the game. They were 2- for29 in the series.
“I’m not upset or concerned,” Maddon said. “We’re going to get on another good run. I’m certain of that.”