|
 Jackson survived a rough start and a fifth-inning jam when the
Mets loaded the bases as the Cubs claimed a 5-4 victory at Wrigley
Field.
"As starters, sometimes we have to battle through," Jackson said.
"You try to keep a team close and hopefully they can come back and
scrap together some runs like we did tonight."
Starlin Castro atoned for a first-inning error by going 3-for-4 with
three RBIs.
"Starlin ended up having a couple of nice at-bats, driving in some
runs," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "(He) kind of made up (for)
a ball up the middle early in the ballgame he was upset that he
wasn't able to make the play on."
The Cubs' shortstop tied the game 4-4 with a fifth-inning single,
and the go-ahead run scored on right-hander Jeurys Familia's wild
pitch.
Jackson (4-5) gave up four runs (one earned) on five hits, struck
out four and walked five in his first victory since May 17.
 Six Chicago relievers then tossed scoreless ball the rest of the
way, with closer Hector Rondon pitching the ninth for his seventh
save.
"Their confidence is growing," Renteria said. "As they continue to
attack the zone, as they continue to get outs, I think in any
situation we put them in they're able to do what they have to do."
Mets reliever Dana Eveland (0-1) worked one-third inning in the
fifth, and he was charged with the lead run.
New York starter Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed four runs on four hits
and five walks in 4 1/3 innings.
"I didn't have the best stuff today," Matsuzaka said, "and I ended
up being too careful with all my pitches, which led to a lot of
balls."
Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy went 3-for-4 with a run scored,
and left fielder Curtis Granderson finished 2-for-5. New York
managed seven hits, but just one after the sixth inning.
Renteria wasn't around at the end of his team's second consecutive
win. He was ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and
strikes.
The Mets opened with three first-innings runs off Jackson.
Murphy scored from third on Castro's error with two out for a 1-0
lead. Murphy reached on an infield single, advanced to second on a
walk to third baseman David Wright and reached third as Granderson
grounded into a fielder's choice.
First baseman Lucas Duda then looped a double to the left-field
corner, driving in Wright and Granderson.
"We got off to a good start. We just weren't able to add on," Mets
manager Terry Collins said. "We've had opportunities to put games
away. We had bases loaded several times. But we're just not hitting
with guys on."
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The Cubs got two runs back in the bottom of the first. Castro
singled to right with one out to score center fielder Justin
Ruggiano, who had reached on a one-out double. Right fielder Nate
Schierholtz made it 3-2, grounding into a fielder's choice to score
first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada tagged Jackson for a solo home run --
his second homer of the season -- on an 0-2 pitch in the fourth for
a 4-2 lead.
Jackson was pulled for a pinch hitter in the Cubs' fifth after
throwing 110 pitches, 63 for strikes.
The Cubs took a 5-4 lead after chasing Matsuzaka with one out in the
fifth and runners on first and second. Rizzo greeted Eveland with a
single to load the bases and Castro bounced a single up the middle
to score second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and Ruggiano.
Eveland departed after getting one out and walking left fielder
Chris Coghlan to load the bases. Familia's wild pitch while facing
Olt brought home Rizzo with a go-ahead run.
The series concludes Thursday with Cubs left-hander Travis Wood
(5-5, 5.15 ERA) facing Mets right hander Jacob deGrom (0-2, 2.42
ERA).
NOTES: The Cubs confirmed reports that a 90-year broadcast
association with WGN-AM will close at season's end. A new radio deal
with CBS-owned WBBM-AM to start in 2015 is set to be announced
Thursday. ... The Cubs selected Double-A Tennessee 3B Kris Bryant
and Class A Kane County RHP Paul Blackburn as their May minor league
players of the month. Bryant batted .407 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs,
while Blackburn went 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in five starts. ...
Tuesday's walk-off victory over the Mets was the Cubs' first since a
6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds on June 13, 2013. ... The Mets have
the No. 10 pick in Thursday's draft, but manager Terry Collins
hasn't had a lot of time to think about it. "I have enough on my
plate at the moment," he said. ... Mets OF Andrew Brown was in
Chicago on Wednesday in anticipation of a Thursday activation. He
hit .359 with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs in 36 games at Triple-A Las
Vegas.
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