Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/30/24): Mets 4, Cubs 2 – Pair of Errors Prove Costly in Loss

The Cubs and Mets found themselves in another tight pitching duel Tuesday night, but the final results were reversed from Monday. Two critical Chicago errors led to three unearned runs as New York went on to win and even the series.

Francisco Lindor singled against Javier Assad with one out in the bottom of the 1st inning. Assad appeared to have the runner picked off and first baseman Patrick Wisdom fired to second base to complete the out but the ball sailed into the outfield allowing Lindor to advance to third. Pete Alonso followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that put the Mets ahead 1-0.

Chicago drew two walks and singled against Sean Manaea to load the bases for Miguel Amaya in the 2nd. Amaya hit a fly ball to left field that was just deep enough to tie the score. Assad pitched pretty well, going five frames with only the one run — it was changed from unearned to earned during the course of the game — allowed.

The struggling Adbert Alzolay took over in the 6th and should have dealt with the first three batters he faced rather easily. Unfortunately, J.D. Martinez — the second batter of the inning — hit a routine ground ball on which shortstop Dansby Swanson made a very poor throw to first base for an error that allowed the runner to reach. After a single put another runner on base, burly outfielder DJ Stewart hit a long three-run homer that put the Mets up 4-1.

Mike Tauchman doubled and scored a run in the top of the 9th inning but the Cubs did not do much offensively the rest of the way and New York posted a 4-2 victory. (Box score)

Key Moment

Swanson has been having throwing issues all season long and it is unclear if it is because of sloppy footwork or some kind of injury. It proved very costly Tuesday and was compounded by Alzolay’s continued problems with the home run ball, particularly against left-handed hitters.

Why the Cubs Lost

The offense only had four hits and could not take advantage of six walks, and scoring only two runs isn’t enough to win many games. Playing with so little margin for error, the sloppy defense they displayed in this game was very costly.

Stats That Matter

• Assad probably could have started the 6th inning and had another nice outing despite not having his sharpest stuff: 5 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K, and 0 BB.
• Tauchman had a pair of hits and is the only Cubs player doing much on offense right now.
• Christopher Morel had a single and a walk and is starting to look better at the plate.
• Alzolay has surrendered five home runs this season, equaling the total he allowed in all of 2023.

Bottom Line

The absence of Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki is really starting to weigh down the lineup, so it’s going to be harder to overcome mistakes like the Cubs had on Tuesday. The bullpen’s issues are not getting better and if Alzolay is going to keep going like this, the front office might have to get aggressive early to address the problem. That could mean a trade or promoting Cade Horton from the minors.

On Deck

The two sides meet for the third game of the series Wednesday night at 6:10pm CT. Shōta Imanaga takes the hill against José Buttó in a contest airing on Marquee and 670 The Score.