Mets collapse against Cubs as losing streak hits nine

The New York Mets endured another difficult outing as they fell 12-4 to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, stretching their losing streak to nine games. What began as a chance to reset quickly turned into another frustrating chapter for the Mets, with pitching struggles once again at the center of the defeat.

Senga struggles continue

All eyes were on Kodai Senga as he looked to rebound from a difficult previous start. Instead, the right-hander ran into early trouble. After a promising start to the first inning, Senga allowed traffic on the bases before Seiya Suzuki drove in the opening run. Moments later, Moises Ballesteros delivered a three-run homer that immediately put the Mets in a 4-0 hole.

Senga’s outing never truly recovered. By the time he exited in the fourth inning, he had surrendered six earned runs, continuing a worrying trend early in the season.

Mets show brief fight

Despite the early deficit, the Mets responded in the second inning. A rally sparked by Francisco Alvarez and MJ Melendez helped cut the deficit, while Marcus Semien added an RBI double. Tyrone Taylor then drove in two more runs, bringing the score to 4-3 and briefly shifting momentum.

However, defensive lapses and inconsistent pitching prevented the comeback from gaining real traction.

Cubs capitalise on every mistake

The Cubs wasted little time restoring control. Nico Hoerner extended the lead with a two-run homer, while continued pressure and a costly error from Brett Baty helped Chicago build a comfortable cushion.

Even as relievers entered the game, the damage continued. Sean Manaea initially steadied things but later conceded multiple runs, including a two-run homer that pushed the game further out of reach.

By the later innings, the Cubs had stretched the lead to 12-4, effectively ending any hopes of a Mets comeback.

Offensive bright spots not enough

There were still a few positives for New York.

Francisco Lindor showed flashes with a sharp extra-base hit, while Melendez stood out with a strong performance at the plate, continuing his encouraging start with the team.

But overall, missed opportunities, including leaving runners stranded and grounding into key double plays, summed up the Mets’ current struggles.

What it means for the Mets

At 7-12, the Mets are facing mounting pressure early in the season.

A nine-game losing streak highlights deeper issues, particularly with pitching consistency and defensive execution. Unless those areas improve quickly, the gap in the standings could widen before the season truly settles.

What’s next

The series continues in Chicago, with the Mets hoping to halt their slide. Freddy Peralta is set to take the mound against Jameson Taillon as New York looks to finally regain momentum.

Player of the Game

MJ Melendez
A bright spot in a tough outing, Melendez reached base multiple times and continues to make a strong early impression.

SportsLigue