CHICAGO — Mets starter Jacob deGrom matched up Monday night at Wrigley Field with the Cubs’ Jon Lester, one of the most accomplished pitchers in baseball. On most nights, Lester possesses pinpoint control and a powerful cut-fastball; deGrom is a fireballer with electric stuff. But the anticipated duel did not materialize. Lester was good enough, while deGrom was erratic and the Mets (20-12) fell, 4-3.
With the Mets trailing, 4-1, in the sixth inning, Lucas Duda and Wilmer Flores connected for back-to-back home runs, but the Mets never pulled even. Hector Rondon earned his seventh save, but only with some defensive help.