The Chicago Cubs' losing streak extended to three games after Friday night's 7-2 loss to the New York Mets.
The Cubs began their brief, three-game trip to New York with a rough outing from starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. The big right-hander immediately surrendered a leadoff home run to Mets' shortstop Francisco Lindor, and the Cubs proceeded to trail for the remainder of the game.
Lindor's long ball was the first of four homers for New York, with Brett Baty, Jeff McNeil, and Juan Soto also taking Taillon deep on Friday night. Taillon only lasted four innings, giving up nine hits, five earned runs, with four strikeouts.
The Cubs' two runs came from solo shots by Kyle Tucker in the fourth inning and Michael Busch in the ninth.
The only other good scoring chance came when Busch smacked a double in the fourth and advanced to third on a wild pitch. But New York was in the driver's seat for the entire game thanks to their early lead and the efforts of starter Clay Holmes.
Holmes kept the Cubs' lineup off balance for six innings, where he induced a lot of soft contact with his breaking balls and only gave up one earned run on Tucker's dinger.
It was a game the Cubs need to forget about to get back on track. Escaping New York with just one win would honestly be acceptable given the Mets have the best home record in baseball (now 14-3) and the Cubs will be forced to lean on their bullpen and rookie Cade Horton in Saturday's game.
What's Next On Tap
The offense needs to heat back up to avoid their infamous month of May slump. Brad Keller will open Saturday's game against Mets pitcher Tylor Megill (2.50), and Horton will likely get the lion's share of innings in the game. Lefty Matthew Boyd (2.75) will toe the rubber on Sunday against Griffin Canning (2.50). The Cubs return to Wrigley Field on Monday for a three-game set against the Miami Marlins.
