Big Eighth Inning Propels Mets To Series Victory Over Cubs

The New York Mets entered Sunday’s game at Citi Field against the first-place Chicago Cubs hoping to clinch another series victory after the team split the first two games of the series. Griffin Canning was once again terrific, and thanks to a big eighth inning, the Mets moved to 11 games above .500 via a 6-2 victory.

As mentioned, Canning was terrific once again. The former Los Angeles Angel went six innings, allowing only two hits and a single run. He struck out five and only walked one. While inducing 13 swing and misses, Canning lowered his season ERA to a mere 2.36.

Offensively, the Mets took the lead in the second, after a Luis Torrens triple banged off the left-centerfield wall. Torrens would later have to leave the game after taking a foul ball off a sensitive area. After Canning allowed his sole run of the game, the offense answered right back as Mark Vientos hit a solo home run in the sixth, giving the Mets a 2-1 lead.

Following Canning, Reed Garrett entered the game. Garrett had a rare bumpy appearance, as he allowed a run-scoring double after a lead-off walk. This tied the game back up until New York had a mammoth eighth inning.

In that eighth frame, the Mets struck for four runs on five hits. Francisco Lindor started it off with a bang, stroking a go-ahead solo shot. The Mets followed with a Mark Vientos RBI single and a two-run shot by Brandon Nimmo to finish off the scoring and a big four-run eighth inning.

After Garrett, the bullpen settled down, as Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz posted back-to-back 1-2-3 innings. That was good enough to clinch a 6-2 victory and another series win against a Cubs team that sits in first place in the National League’s Central Division.

Player of the Game: Mark Vientos

It has been a slog for Mark Vientos this season. After breaking out in 2024, that magic he captured last season, and during a terrific playoff run, has yet to consistently show in 2025. Well, on Sunday, he flashed that strong play in a big way, as he went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

Vientos has his OPS over .700 again at .706. He is slashing .235/.309/.397 on the season.

On Deck

The Mets are right back in action on Monday. They’ll remain home and face the Pittsburgh Pirates who sit at 13-27 on the season prior to Sunday’s action. New York will face a stout test in Game 1 of the series in superstar Paul Skenes. The Mets will go to David Peterson for the game that is set to begin at 7:10 pm ET.

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