Rizzo leads Cubs past Mets 5-3

[June 27, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Anthony Rizzo had two hits and drove in the go-ahead run in his first game with the Chicago Cubs, who rallied for a 5-3 victory over the sliding New York Mets on Tuesday night.

Rizzo's two-out double drove in Steve Clevenger in the fourth, making it 4-3 and sending the Mets to their fourth straight loss -- matching a season high. Rizzo was called up earlier in the day for his highly anticipated Cubs debut after posting big numbers for Triple-A Iowa.

Rizzo reached on an infield single in the first when his smash eluded shortstop Ruben Tejada, a play that was originally scored an error. He also grounded out to first in the third, advancing two runners and sparking Chicago's three-run rally.

Dillon Gee (5-6) struck out six in five innings for the Mets, but gave up four runs and nine hits. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 3.69 ERA in his last six starts.

New York's David Wright went 0 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, ending his hitting streak at 15 games. It was the longest active streak in the majors.

Luis Valbuena, Darwin Barney, Clevenger and David DeJesus joined Rizzo with two hits apiece for the Cubs, who finished with 12 hits overall.

Valbuena doubled home a run and Barney had a run-scoring single as the Cubs overcame another poor outing by starter Randy Wells.

Wells, subbing for injured right-hander Ryan Dempster in the rotation, lasted just three-plus innings. He was charged with three runs and six hits with four walks.

Wells gave up three runs, five hits and four walks in 3 2-3 innings against the White Sox in his previous outing.

Four relievers combined to shut out the Mets over the final five innings to preserve the win. Carlos Marmol worked around a leadoff walk and finished for his fifth save.

Josh Thole had two hits and drove in a run for the Mets, who stranded 12 runners, leaving at least one man on base in every inning except the first, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis was caught stealing in that inning.

The Mets established an early two-run lead with four straight two-out singles off Wells in the second. Thole and Gee each drove in runs.

Chicago rallied with three runs in the third, aided by a pair of walks.

The touted Rizzo hit .342 with 23 homers and 62 RBIs at Iowa. He made his big league debut last season for San Diego, hitting .141 in 49 games before being traded to the Cubs during the offseason.

His arrival in Chicago was a "breath of fresh air" according to Dale Sveum, manager of the club with the worst record in baseball.

NOTES: Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said while the club is still gathering information, his "initial understanding" is CF Marlon Byrd's 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs will not affect the amount of money the club is responsible for on Byrd's contract. Chicago traded Byrd to the Red Sox on April 21. . Mets manager Terry Collins said there is still no timetable for the return of OF Jason Bay (concussion). Collins said a return before the All-Star break is conceivable, but optimistic. . Mets 1B Ike Davis was ejected in the eighth by first base umpire Manny Gonzalez after arguing a safe call on a pickoff attempt.

[Associated Press]

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