Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/28/19): Cubs 10, Mets 7 – Cubs Hammer Thor, Low-Key Try to Give Lead Back

The Cubs aimed to take their second consecutive road series when they faced the Mets Wednesday night and things looked incredibly good early on as they scored 10 runs over three innings against ace Noah Syndergaard. Then it got way too tense in the late innings, but the bullpen did just enough to secure the win.

Syndergaard melted down in the opening inning, hitting Nicholas Castellanos with a 98 mph fastball and giving up a Kris Bryant single to put two men on base. Shortstop Amed Rosario made a throwing on a Javy Báez grounder, allowing Castellanos to score, then Kyle Schwarber doubled to plate Bryant and make the score 2-0.

An Addison Russell flare brought home both runners to increase the lead to 4-0 and Ian Happ had the big blow with a long homer to left to put a half dozen on the board. Kyle Hendricks allowed a run in the bottom of the inning before giving up nothing for the next four.

Schwarber hit a two-run jack in the top of the 2nd and Castellanos blasted one in the 3rd before Syndergaard’s night mercifully was ended down 10-1 after three. It felt like an easy win with Hendricks on the bump and up nine.

The Professor had a rare bad lecture in the 5th, giving up a leadoff double before Jeff McNeil hit a two-run bomb and J.D. Davis made it back to back. Two more runners reached and Joe Panik singled home a run to end Hendricks’ night early. David Phelps allowed one more run before getting the final out.

Kyle Ryan took over for Phelps and got through the 6th inning, then Steve Cishek and Rowan Wick were able to keep it at 10-6 after seven. A Báez error allowed Todd Frazier to reach in the 8th and McNeil doubled to put men on second and third with none out. Wick buckled down and got the next three, allowing just a single run to score.

Craig Kimbrel added to the tension in the 9th, when a single and walk put the first two runners on base. He then got the next three hitters in order and secured the 10-7 win. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Won

Obviously scoring double digit runs against one of the best starters in baseball will help you win. The relievers were the real heroes for allowing just one run after Hendricks’ off night.

Key Moment

Wick faced Pete Alonso with a runner on third and two down in the 8th, falling behind 2-0 before rallying back to induce a lazy fly ball to center.

Stats That Matter

• Safe to say Hendricks won’t put this effort in the highlight package: 4.2 IP, 6 R, 8 H, 3 K, and 1 BB. Things were going well until his final inning.
• Schwarber had a big game with three knocked in the first two innings.
• Happ had a nice night with a single in addition to his long homer.

Bottom Line

All’s well that ends well is the theme for Wednesday. You hate to say that Cubs kind of stopped playing after the 3rd inning, but it sure looked that way. The good news is that they have won two straight road series and you can’t complain about that.

On Deck

Chicago looks to sweep the Mets Thursday at 6:10pm CT, but it won’t be easy as Jacob deGrom gets the start against Jon Lester. ABC-7 and MLB Network (out-of-market) provide TV coverage and 670 The Score has the radio.