CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta delivered. Eric Sogard scored on a daring dash. Jason Heyward set up another run with a nifty slide.
On another tough night at the plate, the Chicago Cubs made just enough plays to eke out a win.
Arrieta pitched five effective innings Tuesday and Craig Kimbrel escaped a jam in the ninth, sending the Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the Mets.
“Really nice win when we had to scrap for some hits,” manager David Ross said.
Arrieta (3-1) allowed one run and three hits, struck out four and walked three. Wearing short sleeves on a cool, clear evening — the game-time temperature was 36 degrees — he also contributed to two runs at the plate.
“Battled, did a nice job of limiting damage,” Arrieta said. “Had some walks in there, but still was competitive throughout.”
Sogard had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run to help Chicago rebound from Sunday’s 13-4 loss to Atlanta. Sogard was inserted into the lineup when David Bote was scratched with an upset stomach.
The Cubs had just four hits and struck out 12 times, including four for Javier Báez. Hampered by early offensive trouble, the reigning NL Central champions have won just three of their last nine games.
“Doing the small things, trying to push across some runs, we did that tonight,” Ross said.
J.D. Davis homered for New York, but also committed two throwing errors at third base — including one that brought home Chicago’s first run. The Mets had won five of six.
Taijuan Walker (0-1) matched his career high with six walks in 3 2/3 innings, then was ejected by John Libka when he expressed frustration with the umpire’s strike zone on his way out of the game. Walker was charged with two earned runs and two hits.
“After that third inning, I just kind of lost the feel for the strike…
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