Lindor homers to join 30-30 club as Mets beat Cubs 8-5 to remain in
playoff position
[September 26, 2025] By
ANDREW SELIGMAN
CHICAGO (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered to reach the
30-30 milestone for the second time, Brett Baty went deep and the New
York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 8-5 on Thursday night to remain in
position for the final National League wild card. |

Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki, right, of Japan, celebrates with Ian Happ
(8) and Moisés Ballesteros after hitting a three-run home run during the
sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Chicago,
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh |
The Mets built a six-run lead and withstood a shaky outing by
rookie Nolan McLean (5-1). They remained a game ahead of
Cincinnati in the playoff race, with the Reds beating Pittsburgh
2-1.
Chicago’s Shota Imanaga (9-8) got tagged for a season-high eight
runs in 5 2/3 innings. Seiya Suzuki homered twice and Dansby
Swanson also connected for the Cubs, who have lost six of seven.
Chicago leads San Diego by two games with three to play for the
top wild card and home-field advantage in the opening round of
the playoffs. Those two teams will meet in Game 1 on Tuesday.
The Mets led 2-0 in the third when Lindor connected against
Imanaga, sending a solo drive beyond the left-field bleachers to
Waveland Avenue. That gave him 30 homers to go with 31 steals.
The five-time All-Star had 31 homers and 31 steals for New York
in 2023.
Though he struck out a personal-best 11, McLean gave up a
season-high five runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Edwin Díaz
worked the ninth for his 28th save in 31 chances.
Suzuki hit a solo shot in the fourth and chased McLean with a
three-run drive in the sixth.
Key moment
Baty bumped the lead to 6-0 in the third with his three-run shot
to left.
Key stat
With Lindor and Juan Soto (43 homers, 36 steals), the Mets have
two 30-30 players in a season for the second time. Howard
Johnson and Darryl Strawberry did it in 1987.
Up next
Mets: Rookie RHP Brandon Sproat (0-1, 3.94 ERA) makes his fourth
start as the Mets visit Miami and RHP Sandy Alcantara (10-12,
5.48).
Cubs: Had not announced a starter for Friday's game against St.
Louis and RHP Miles Mikolas (8-10, 4.76).
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