CHICAGO — Francisco Alvarez did all he may to will his membership to a victory Wednesday night time at Wrigley Field going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer off former Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman. But the Mets’ bats have been as chilly because the almost 20 mph winds blowing in from Lake Michigan and the offense produced little else in a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
The Mets, who got here into the Windy City driving a five-game profitable streak, dropped the sequence with their second straight loss.
Alvarez’s residence run got here within the prime of the third. The biting winds that blew in from proper area made life troublesome for right-handed hitters, however Alvarez drove the ball proper by means of the thick, icy air sending it again 390 toes for his sixth residence run of the season.
“I know his two-seam sinker doesn’t really go side-to-side, it drops a little more,” the catcher mentioned. “So I was just trying to get out and be level with it and I kind of had to uppercut it.”
The wind didn’t appear to have an effect on Alvarez.
“I think both teams had to hit into the wind a little bit. That’s what’s so impressive about Francisco’s home run,” mentioned supervisor Buck Showalter. That one didn’t have time to get a lot wind concerned.”
Alvarez put the Mets up 2-0 however the lead wouldn’t final lengthy.
The Cubs (22-26) took a 3-2 lead within the backside of the body.
Kodai Senga has been inconsistent from begin to begin, however the majority of his struggles have been the results of a excessive stroll price. The Mets have but to resolve the rookie right-hander’s management points. His stuff is sweet, however finding it has been the largest downside for him in his first season in North America.
Senga (4-3) walked 5 hitters Wednesday night time. He minimized the injury however the walks helped maximize his pitch rely.
“Ever since coming over here, since starting to pitch in the big leagues, I look at the data a little bit more,” Senga mentioned by means of a translator. I’ve pinpoint spots I wish to throw it and in previous outings, I’d be only a bit off or simply barely within the strike zone. But at present I used to be very clearly out of the strike zone. Very clear balls, very clear walks.
“I would definitely like to minimize those types of walks.”
Senga (4-3) masterfully obtained out of jams within the fourth and fifth innings to rebound from that three-run third.
Down 3-2 within the fourth, Senga walked the No. 8 and 9 hitters to steer off. There have been PitchCom points that prompted Francisco Lindor to come back to the mound and sign his translator, Hiro Fujiwara. Senga appeared rattled and took a step off the mound, getting known as for a balk to advance the runners. The Mets obtained Tommy Hunter within the bullpen.
Showalter got here out to speak to the umpires, clearly agitated, however Senga settled down from there. He struck out Nico Hoerner, obtained Miles Mastrobuoni to pop as much as shallow middle area and Dansby Swanson grounded out to finish the inning.
Senga had two on with two out within the fifth after Brett Baty deflected Christopher Morel’s line drive, however he struck out Matt Mervis to finish the inning and finish his night time at three runs on six hits.
The right-hander threw a career-high 106 pitches, stranded eight runners and struck out six over 5 innings.
“I’d just like to see him be able to manage his pitches a little more because his stuff is good enough to get deeper into games,” Showalter mentioned.
Drew Smith gave up a house run to Hoerner within the sixth to make it 4-2. Smith has now allowed runs in three straight appearances (4 runs, three earned) after permitting solely two baserunners in his earlier 5.
Stroman (4-4) restricted the Mets to 2 earned runs on 4 hits, walked one and struck out three over eight innings.
“It was two different types of pitchers tonight but in a lot of ways they had similar effectiveness,” Showalter mentioned. “One of them went eight and that’s what Kodai is capable of doing if he manages his pitches a little bit better. Not a lot of quick outs compared to what Stroman was able to do.”
The Mets threatened within the eighth with runners on the corners, however the Long Island native obtained Alvarez to floor into an inning-ending double play. Mark Leiter Jr. transformed the save (two) by retiring the aspect so as within the ninth.
“Obviously, I wanted a hit there in that big spot,” Alvarez mentioned. “But I just wanted to help the team there in that moment.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com