Wright, Murphy, Hairston lead Mets' rout of Cubs

[June 28, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Daniel Murphy homered twice, Scott Hairston hit a grand slam and David Wright drove in five runs to lead the New York Mets to a 17-1 rout of the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

Ike Davis had a three-run homer and an RBI double as he combined with Murphy, Hairston and Wright to drive in all 17 runs -- with each having at least four RBIs -- to help the Mets snap a four-game losing streak.

The Mets had their highest scoring total since they had 18 at Wrigley Field on Sept. 5, 2010. It was also the most runs the Cubs have allowed since that game.

Murphy hadn't homered since last July 16 but went deep in consecutive innings to notch his first career multihomer game. Davis' four RBIs matched his career high and Hairston had his second career grand slam.

One night after having a 15-game hitting streak snapped, Wright had a sacrifice fly, two-run double and two-run single for his ninth career game of five or more RBIs.

The onslaught made for an easy afternoon for Mets starter Jonathon Niese (6-3), who struck out six and held the Cubs to one run over seven innings. Niese improved to 4-0 with a 1.89 ERA in day games this season.

The Mets' first seven hits went for extra bases, six of them off Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (5-7). Samardzija also walked four batters and gave up a career-high nine runs in 4 1-3 innings.

He dropped to 0-4 with an 11.29 over his last four starts after going 3-2 with a 2.26 ERA in eight starts from April 24 to June 4.

Casey Coleman fared no better in relief, allowing seven runs in 1 2-3 innings.

The game was tied 1-all through three before New York got 15 runs in the middle innings.

Davis' RBI double and Murphy's two-run homer highlighted a three-run fourth. Davis capped the six-run fifth with a three-run homer, then Hairston's grand slam in the sixth gave New York another six-run inning.

Davis added an eighth-inning double as his last seven hits have gone for extra bases.

One night after stranding 12 runners in a 5-3 loss to Chicago, New York left just three runners on base despite getting 16 hits and drawing seven walks.

NOTES: Mets manager Terry Collins gave OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis the day off Wednesday. The 24-year-old is in a 3-for-26 slide. . Before the game, the Cubs designated RHP Randy Wells for assignment and recalled RHP Rafael Dolis from Triple-A Iowa. Wells has struggled with his control, walking 24 in 28 2-3 innings this season. . The Cubs walked Niese twice and have issued eight free passes to pitchers this season, second-most in the majors to Atlanta's 10.

[Associated Press]

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