Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/16/22, Game 2): Mets 4, Cubs 3 F/10 – Cubs Go Past 9 to Lose 9th Straight

The Cubs came into the nightcap of their doubleheader against the Mets hoping for a split that would snap an eight-game losing streak. It was another close game that went to extra innings and yet again Chicago came up short.

The ice-cold Yan Gomes actually gave the Cubs an early lead with a run-scoring automatic double off future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer in the 2nd. Drew Smyly was very sharp to begin the game, picking up four consecutive strikeouts while touching 95 mph on the gun.

Rafael Ortega dropped a routine fly ball in the 3rd that eventually allowed the Mets to tie the score on a Francisco Lindor groundout. Eduardo Escobar then put New York ahead with a solo home run the 4th inning.

Patrick Wisdom doubled in the bottom of the frame and would score the tying run when Gomes singled against his former battery mate Scherzer. Both offenses ground to a halt from that point and the score remained locked at 2-2 into extra innings.

Mychal Givens loaded the bases in the 10th and plunked Pete Alonso to force in the go-ahead run. Daniel Norris took over from there and sailed a pickoff at second into center to make it 4-2.

That error proved to be very costly for the Cubs as Christopher Morel singled in the bottom of the frame to cut the lead to one. Chicago would eventually load the bases on Yoan López before Frank Schwindel grounded into a double play to end the game. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The Norris error is just the latest example of the kind of play a bad team like the Cubs cannot get away with if they want to win.

Eye on the Future

• Seiya Suzuki had three base hits Saturday night and has been very good since returning from his finger injury.
• Morel continues to bring a ton of excitement to an otherwise pretty dull Cubs team even in a bit of a slump.

Stats That Matter

• Smyly was much better than his last start against the Dodgers: 4.1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 4 K, and 1 BB.
• Gomes clearly must have figured something out during his time catching Scherzer because he was locked in Saturday. He even drew a walk for the first time since April.
• Steven Brault made his Cubs debut and had a clean 9th inning Saturday.
• Ian Happ got ejected in the 3rd after arguing a pretty egregious called strike three.

Bottom Line

History says the Cubs will win a game at some point soon because no team has gone on an 80 game losing streak. That being said, it feels like Chicago is absolutely lost right now and the upcoming trade deadline will probably make things even worse. Hopefully, we can all look back at this soon with a chuckle as a competitive team is finally back at Wrigley Field.

On Deck

The Cubs try to avoid the sweep before the All-Star break at 1:20pm CT Sunday. Adrian Sampson takes on David Peterson in a contest available on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.