Chicago, IL – Scott Feldman pitched into the seventh inning and contributed two RBI as Chicago took an 8-2 win over the New York Mets in the second of three from Wrigley Field on Saturday.
Feldman (4-3) scattered seven hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings to win his fourth straight decision and added a two-run double in the fourth inning to help the Cubs win for a fifth time in seven games.
"He's not letting left-handers beat him and his cutter has been incredible," said Chicago manager Dale Sveum about Feldman. "He's able to bounce his curveball when he has to and throw it for a strike. Everything is working for him."
Nate Schierholtz and Anthony Rizzo each gave a solo home run in the win for Chicago.
Jeremy Hefner (0-5) gave up four runs on five hits in just four innings of work for the Mets, who had won their previous two after dropping six straight.
"I want to win and I want the team to win," said Hefner. "Obviously we didn't do that today and I need to make some adjustments out there to get back on track."
The Cubs had stranded runners on first and third with one out in the second, but finally broke through in the fourth.
Rizzo singled to right to leadoff and Alfonso Soriano was hit by a pitch. After Schierholtz singled to load the bases, Luis Valbuena brought home the first run with a sacrifice fly and Welington Castillo followed with an RBI single. Two batters later, Feldman doubled to right for a 4-0 lead.
Rizzo homered off of Robert Carson to start the fifth and Schierholtz gave a leadoff blast in the eighth. Later in the eighth, David DeJesus dropped a bloop single into right to chase in two more runners for an 8-0 lead.
The Mets had men on second and third in both the first and second innings, but Feldman was able to get out of the jams without any damage.
With one on and two out in the seventh, Feldman stepped off the mound for James Russell, who got Mike Baxter to hit into a fielder's choice to end the frame.
Russell then tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning, but Hector Rondon allowed a two-run home run to Rick Ankiel in the ninth to spoil Chicago's attempt at its first shutout of the season.
Game Notes
Ankiel and Daniel Murphy each had two hits for the Mets ... Dillon Gee takes the mound for New York in the finale on Sunday and will be opposed by Travis Wood for Chicago ... The Mets were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven, while Chicago was 4-for-9 with RISP.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.