Mets Game 135: Loss to Cubs

Cubs 7 Mets 6

Win one, lose one, win one, lose one … oh wait, we used that last week.

With the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field, Jerry Manuel stuck to small ball, perhaps as an element of surprise. It didn’t work.

Meanwhile, the Cubs played big ball, and in the end outlasted the Mets.

Game Notes

Although the wind was blowing hard, it didn’t help R.A. Dickey‘s knuckleball, which was swatted unmercifully by the Cubs batters. Dickey allowed 7 runs on 8 hits, including two three-run homers.

I’d theorize that because Dickey throws an unusually hard knuckleball, and some of his success is due to an ability to change speeds on the knuckler, the wind in his face was slowing down his hard knuckler and making it easier to hit as a result. That’s only a guess. Maybe, because of the wind blowing toward him, Dickey was in response over-throwing the knuckler, leading to more spin on the ball. Knuckleballs move more with less spin, so perhaps his had too much spin on this afternoon and stayed straight. Again, only a guess.

On a positive note, David Wright was a one-man wrecking crew, going 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBI, including a double and his 23rd homer. Angel Pagan also had a 3-for-5 day from the leadoff spot.

You know the wind is affecting the ballgame when Luis Hernandez hits a dinger. I believe it was the first time the Mets hit more than one homerun in a game since July.

Take away Wright and Pagan, and the Mets collected 4 hits on the day. They also left 10 runners on base.

Another bright spot: Lucas Duda rapped his first MLB hit, a double.

Only one team in MLB has lost more one-run games than the Mets … the Cubs.

Next Mets Game

The Mets and Cubs do it again at Wrigley at 1:05 PM EST on Saturday afternoon. Jenrry Mejia makes his first Major League start against Casey Coleman.