NEW YORK – Kyle Hendricks handcuffed the Mets for six innings to win his seventh straight outing, the longest streak of his career, Javier Báez hit a two-run home run off Marcus Stroman in the first inning and the Chicago Cubs defeated the Thursday 2-0 to the New York Mets to avoid the sweep in the four-game series.
Hendricks (9-4) struck out seven and walked two as he retired the last eight enemies he faced after giving away consecutive walks in the fourth inning.
He improved to 4-0 against the Mets, who had trouble adjusting to a relatively slow-speed arsenal. The fastest of his 92 pitches was 89.3 mph; his 87.1 mph fastball average before the game ranks him 186th out of 188 eligible starters, ahead of Miami’s Adam Cimber (86.9) and San Francisco’s Tyler Rogers at 82.3, according to MLB Statcast. .
Hendricks had allowed eight home runs in his four previous starts and led the majors with 19.
Andrew Chafin, Ryan Tepera and Craig Kimbrel combined to pitch three perfect innings in relief, and the last 17 Mets batters were retired in strict order. Kimbrel made 19 saves in 21 chances to tie the major league lead.
Chicago had only its third shutout of the season, but the second in its last five games. The Cubs took the win despite hitting .138 (17-of-123) in the series with nine runs, eight walks and 49 strikeouts.
Neither team hit a hit after the fourth inning, combining for 0 of their last 34 at-bats.
Stroman (6-5) allowed four hits in seven innings with eight strikeouts and one walk.
For the Cubs, Puerto Rican Javier Báez 4-1 with two RBIs and one scored. The Dominican Sergio Alcántara 2-0. Venezuelan Willson Contreras 4-0.
For the Mets, Jonathan Villar 4-1. Puerto Rican Francisco Lindor 4-0. Venezuelans José Peraza 3-0; Luis Guillorme 1-0.
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