New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with Pete Alonso (20) after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New York Mets’ Brett Baty, right, celebrates with New Brandon Nimmo after scoring on a two-run double by Tyrone Taylor during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New York Mets’ Brett Batyscores on a two-run double by Tyrone Taylor during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New York Mets’ Tyrone Taylor hits a two-run double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Lindor homers to join 30-30 club as Mets beat Cubs 8-5 to remain in playoff position
CHICAGO (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered to reach the 30-30 milestone for the second time, Brett Baty went deep and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 8-5 on Thursday night to remain in position for the final National League wild card.
New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with Pete Alonso (20) after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
CHICAGO (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered to reach the 30-30 milestone for the second time, Brett Baty went deep and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 8-5 on Thursday night to remain in position for the final National League wild card.
The Mets built a six-run lead and withstood a shaky outing by rookie Nolan McLean (5-1). They remained a game ahead of Cincinnati in the playoff race, with 2-1.
Chicago’s Shota Imanaga (9-8) got tagged for a season-high eight runs in 5 2/3 innings. Seiya Suzuki homered twice and Dansby Swanson also connected for the Cubs, who have lost six of seven.
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Chicago leads San Diego by two games with three to play for the top wild card and home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. Those two teams will meet in Game 1 on Tuesday.
The Mets led 2-0 in the third when Lindor connected against Imanaga, sending a solo drive beyond the left-field bleachers to Waveland Avenue. That gave him 30 homers to go with 31 steals. The five-time All-Star had 31 homers and 31 steals for New York in 2023.
Though he struck out a personal-best 11, McLean gave up a season-high five runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Edwin DÃaz worked the ninth for his 28th save in 31 chances.
Suzuki hit a solo shot in the fourth and chased McLean with a three-run drive in the sixth.
Key moment
Baty bumped the lead to 6-0 in the third with his three-run shot to left.
Key stat
With Lindor and Juan Soto (43 homers, 36 steals), the Mets have two 30-30 players in a season for the second time. Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry did it in 1987.
Up next
Mets: Rookie RHP Brandon Sproat (0-1, 3.94 ERA) makes his fourth start as the Mets visit Miami and RHP Sandy Alcantara (10-12, 5.48).
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Cubs: Had not announced a starter for Friday’s game against St. Louis and RHP Miles Mikolas (8-10, 4.76).
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