The Cubs lost 6-3 to the Mets Wednesday night, dropping to 38-30 this season.
Here are 10 observations from the game.
1. Jacob deGrom looked every bit as dominant as his numbers this season indicate. The Mets ace retired the first nine Cubs hitters, eight on strikeouts. He entered Wednesday with a microscopic 0.56 ERA in 10 starts.
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2. But deGrom’s night came to an abrupt end. He exited after the third inning with right shoulder soreness, after leaving his last start with right flexor tendinitis.
3. Anthony Rizzo was the only Cub not to strikeout vs. deGrom, missing a home run by a few feet on a warning track flyout in the first. He didn’t miss in the fourth, hitting a solo blast off reliever Sean Reid-Foley to the upper deck in right field.
4. After Rizzo's blast, Cubs hitters went a combined 0-for-17. Rafael Ortega broke that streak with a two-run home run in the ninth, following Patrick Wisdom's walk.
5. With 16 strikeouts Wednesday, Cubs hitters have punched out 40 times in three games this series, scoring seven runs.
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6. Robert Stock gave the Cubs four innings in a spot start, his season high with Triple-A Iowa, but struggled with command, walking six. He walked Reid-Foley to load the bases in the fourth and then Francisco Lindor to force in a run, one of five he allowed on the night.
7. In 59 games last season, Javy Báez walked seven times. Wednesday, in his 59th game of 2021, he drew his eighth walk of the season.
8. Wednesday was not only Jose Lobaton’s first game in a Cubs uniform, but his first big-league appearance since Sept. 28, 2018 — and first start since May 16, 2018.
9. Kris Bryant didn't play Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game with a bruised right thumb, following a hit by pitch in the first inning. Cubs manager David Ross said pregame Bryant is day to day.
10. The Cubs have held steady atop the NL Central standings despite this three-game skid. They’re still tied with the Brewers for first after the Reds swept Milwaukee this week — although Cincinnati is now just two games back.
On deck: The Cubs look to avoid a sweep Thursday night. First pitch is 6:10 p.m. CT. Kyle Hendricks (8-4, 4.46 ERA) and Marcus Stroman (6-4, 2.33 ERA) are the probable starters.