NEW YORK -- You can’t blame the bullpen this time. That’s because Chicago Cubs starter Jason Hammel allowed all the damage himself in getting lit up Friday night as he never had before by the suddenly awake New York Mets.
Hammel gave up a career-high five home runs in less than five innings, reminding everyone about the elephant in the room: Is typical second-half Hammel showing up? The righty has a career 5.15 ERA after the All-Star break while sporting a 3.91 mark before it. The numbers are even more dramatic during his tenure with the Cubs.