Ballesteros, Hoerner and Happ homer as Cubs hand Mets their 9th straight
loss in 12-4 romp
[April 18, 2026]
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
CHICAGO (AP) — Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Ian
Happ homered, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Mets their ninth straight
loss, pounding New York 12-4 on Friday.
The Mets' skid is their worst since the 2004 team dropped 11 straight.
They’ve been outscored 56-16 during the streak. |
Chicago Cubs designated hitter Moises Ballesteros (25) runs the bases
after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball
game against the New York Mets, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Chicago. (AP
Photo/Erin Hooley) |
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Chicago scored in double digits for the third straight game and
major league-leading fourth time this season.
Ballesteros made it 4-0 in the first with a three-run homer.
Hoerner had three hits and drove in two runs after setting a
career high with five RBIs in Wednesday’s 11-2 win at
Philadelphia. His two-run shot in the second against Kodai Senga
(0-3) made it 6-3. The two-time Gold Glove second baseman also
made a diving stop to rob Bo Bichette of a hit in the fifth.
Happ added a two-run drive in the eighth.
Edward Cabrera (2-0) went six innings, allowing three runs and
eight hits, as the Cubs rolled to their third straight win.
Senga got tagged for seven runs in his second straight start.
The Japanese right-hander gave up six earned to go with six hits
in 3 1/3 innings after lasting just 2 1/3 in a loss to the
Athletics last week. His ERA through four starts is 8.83.
After outscoring Philadelphia by a combined 21-6 in their
previous two games, the Cubs jumped on Senga.
Seiya Suzuki singled in a run in the first and Ballesteros made
it 4-0 when he drove the next pitch to the left-field basket.
The Mets cut it to 4-3 in the second on an RBI double by Marcus
Semien and two-run single by Tyrone Taylor off the center-field
wall. Taylor got thrown out at second by Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Up next
The series continues with the Mets sending RHP Freddy Peralta
(1-1, 3.86 ERA) to the mound and the Cubs going with RHP Jameson
Taillon (0-1, 4.86).
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