Flushing, NY – Scott Feldman tossed seven solid innings and knocked in two runs, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets, 5-2, in the second test of a three-game series.
Feldman (6-5) allowed one run on two hits while striking out six for the Cubs, who have won three in a row.
"The guys behind me played some great defense," Feldman said. "It seemed like they were running down balls all over the outfield today for me which is pretty helpful."
Starlin Castro also drove in two runs for Chicago, which placed outfielder David DeJesus on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game. Cody Ransom drove in the other run.
Jordany Valdespin and David Wright each knocked in a run for the Mets, who have dropped three straight.
New York starter Jonathon Niese (3-6) gave up two runs on six hits while walking four over 5 2/3 frames. The left-hander has just one victory in his last 10 starts.
"I just have to stay positive...can't be afraid to fail," Niese said of his struggles. "I think that's the biggest thing. If you're afraid to fail, you're going to fail."
The Cubs scored a pair of runs in the fourth to break a 0-0 tie. Anthony Rizzo and Scott Hairston walked to start the inning, and the runners moved up a base on Ryan Sweeney's groundout before scoring on Feldman's single up the middle.
Chicago loaded the bases later in the frame, but Castro struck out swinging.
The Mets got one run back in the bottom half of the frame. Daniel Murphy doubled to left and raced home on Wright's double to right.
However, Feldman retired the final 12 batters he faced to keep the Cubs ahead.
Chicago tacked on three more runs in the eighth off Scott Rice and Brandon Lyon. Welington Castillo singled and pinch-hitter Nate Schierholtz walked. Lyon took over on the mound and gave up a single to Darwin Barney to load the bases, and Ransom walked to force in a run before Castro hit a two-run double to left.
The Mets responded with one run in the bottom half, when Cubs reliever Carlos Villanueva gave up an RBI single to Valdespin. New York, though, stranded runners on second and third.
Kevin Gregg tossed a scoreless ninth for his ninth save of the season.
Game Notes
Niese fell to 2-4 lifetime against the Cubs ... Chicago activated pitcher Shawn Camp off the 15-day disabled list to take DeJesus' roster spot ... The Cubs went 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position and stranded 16 ... New York selected the contract of pitcher Carlos Torres from Triple-A Las Vegas, optioned pitcher Greg Burke to Las Vegas and designated pitcher Collin McHugh for assignment.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.