NEW YORK — No starting pitcher likes to exit a game early. But few express their distaste like John Lackey.
The Cubs would eventually lose 4-3 to the New York Mets on Thursday evening at Citi Field, but at one point it looked as though they were going to come away with their fourth straight victory.
With his team holding a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning, Lackey allowed a one-out single to Travis d’Arnaud and the left-handed Alejandro De Aza loomed as a pinch-hitter. Cubs manager Joe Maddon went to the mound with his mind already made up to pull his starter and it was clear Lackey was frustrated with the decision.