Mets Beat Cubs, Arietta in Game 2 of NLCS

Jake Arietta has become the latest Cy Young-wanna be who has learned the hard way that the Mets lineup is a force with which to be reckoned. The Mets got to him early on their way to another win and a 2-0 lead in the NLCS.

Curtis Granderson continued his excellent post-season by leading off the game with a single. Davis Wright then collected his second playoff hit. And just like the first one, it was a biggie — a double off the wall in right-center to score Granderson. And then it was Daniel Murphy, the unbelievable Daniel Murphy, with a home run down the line in right to make it a 3-0 game. It was Murphy’s fifth homer of the post-season. Just incredible.

Granderson made it 4-0 almost by himself. He led off the third with a walk. Wright struck out but Granderson stole second. The Cubs then decided to walk Murphy to face Yoenis Cespedes. A strange move, regardless of how smoking hot Murphy is. During the at bat, Granderson stole third. It was huge because Cespedes hit a grounder into the hole at short. Starlin Castro fielded it but could not get the throw off. Cespedes was safe with a single and Granderson scored.

Arietta was done after just five innings. He did strike out eight Mets, but that first inning killed him.

The Cubs finally reached Noah Syndergaard in the sixth. Dexter Fowler singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Kris Bryant doubled off the wall in left to score Fowler to make it 4-1. That ended Syndergaard’s night. Jonathon Niese came on for the last out.

Syndergaard pitched very well, allowing one run on just three hits. He struck out nine and walked one.

Addison Reed and Tyler Clippard pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings, respectively.

Jeurys Familia closed out the game in the ninth for his fourth save of the post-season.

Mets win 4-1. The NLCS moves to Chicago with the Mets having a commanding 2-0 lead.