Game Fourteen – Cubs 0 Mets 4
WP – Mike Pelfrey (3-0) LP – Carlos Zambrano (1-2) Save – None
The Cubs simply are not hitting the baseball. Lou Piniella’s offense hit just seven balls out of the infield on Tuesday night … seven. The Cubs recorded three hits, one for extra bases, and they walked five times. In the first two games against the Mets, the Cubs have managed a grand total of one run.
The Cubs were shutout the first time this season and they played like the game was over after Jose Reyes’ two-run triple in the second.
Carlos Zambrano recorded a quality start. Other than a high pitch count, 119 in six innings, and walking Mike Pelfrey with two outs in the second that led to the two-out two-run triple by Jose Reyes, Zambrano did his job and kept his team in it. Zambrano struck out nine, walked three and gave up two of the Mets’ four runs in six innings.
Jeff Gray escaped damage in the seventh. Gray walked a batter, gave up a hit and hit a batter but induced a 6-3 double play and did not allow any runs.
John Grabow was horrible once again in the eighth. Grabow issued a leadoff walk to Ike Davis then served up a two-out, two run homer to pinch-hitter Fernando Tatis.
The Mets scored all four of their runs with two outs.
The Cubs lost their fourth game in a row and will begin play on Wednesday a season-low four games under .500. Lou Piniella’s crew is just going through the motions right now … The Cubs had only three scoring chances on Tuesday night … and not one Cub reached third base.
Mike Fontenot broke-up Mike Pelfrey’s no-hit bid in the fifth inning. Fontenot singled to left on a 1-0 pitch. Koyie Hill followed with a single to right on a 2-1 pitch. The Cubs had runners on first and second with one out.
Carlos Zambrano squared to bunt and missed Pelfrey’s first offering. Mike Fontenot was leaning the wrong way and Henry Blanco threw him out at second base. Threat over. Zambrano grounded out to short to end the inning.
Alfonso Soriano doubled with two outs in the seventh. Down 2-0 at the time, Mike Fontenot grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Cubs last chance came in the ninth against Francisco Rodriguez. Derrek Lee walked to start the inning. But Aramis Ramirez struck out (again) and Marlon Byrd fouled out to Ike Davis. Alfonso Soriano put together an excellent at bat and walked. Mike Fontenot struck out swinging to end the game.
The Mets first two runs came in the second inning. Angel Pagan singled to right with one out. Zambrano struck out Henry Blanco for the second out but Mike Pelfrey walked to extend the inning.
Jose Reyes (4-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and a stolen base) tripled to left center on a 3-1 offering from Carlos Zambrano.
It was another lackluster performance from the Chicago Cubs.
Carlos Silva will face Oliver Perez on Wednesday night. The last game the Cubs won was when Silva took the mound against the Astros last Friday.