NLCS GAME 4: NEW YORK 8, CHICAGO 3
LOWER THE BROOM AND RAISE THE PENNANT
With first-inning home runs by Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud and a record-setting shot from NLCS MVP Daniel Murphy, the Mets completed a sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley Field and earned almost a week of rest before the World Series.
CHICAGO — Daniel Murphy hit a home run for a record sixth consecutive postseason game, and the New York Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs, 8-3, Wednesday night to sweep the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.
“I can’t explain it. It’s such a blessing to contribute to what we’ve been able to do,” the second baseman said.
First baseman Lucas Duda hit a three-run home run in the first inning, doubled twice and drove in five runs in front of 42,227 at Wrigley Field.
By earning their fifth NL pennant, the Mets advanced to the World Series for the first time since losing to the New York Yankees in five games in 2000.
“This is a long time coming,” third baseman David Wright said. “We’ve been through some bad times. We’ve been through Septembers where you’re just playing out the schedule and that’s no fun. To be able to completely reverse that 180 and now celebrate and get a chance to go to the World Series, I wish I could bottle it all. I really do. That’s an emotion I’ll never forget.”
The Cubs have not won a World Series title since 1908.
“They didn’t give us — they did not let us up for air at any point,” Cubs Manager Joe Maddon said. “Their domination of the early part of the game and their pitching was impressive.”
Murphy, the most valuable player of the series, hit a two-run drive to center field against Fernando Rodney in the eighth inning. He raised his right arm as he rounded first base after his seventh home run of the playoffs.
Murphy, who was tied with Carlos Beltran for the postseason home run streak, finished with four hits and batted .529 (nine for 17) in the series.
Catcher Travis d’Arnaud also hit a home run for New York, and Bartolo Colon pitched 11⁄3 scoreless innings for his first playoff victory since 2001, for Cleveland at Seattle. The 14 years 12 days between postseason victories for the 42-year-old right-hander is a major league record.
Colon, who made 31 starts this season, replaced rookie Steven Matz with two out in the fifth inning and runners at first and second. He struck out rookie third baseman Kris Bryant swinging on a 3-and-2 pitch, preserving New York’s 6-1 lead.
Bryant hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, but it was way too late for Chicago in its first appearance in the NLCS in 12 years.
The Cubs loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning and came away with only one run on Kyle Schwarber’s grounder to first base.
Right-hander Jason Hammel lasted only 11⁄3 innings. He gave up a leadoff single to Curtis Granderson and a two-out walk to Yoenis Cespedes before Duda hit a home run to center field.
D’Arnaud followed with a drive to right field for the second set of consecutive home runs in the Mets’ playoff history, joining Darryl Strawberry and Kevin McReynolds in Game 4 of the 1988 NLCS against the Dodgers.
Hammel was replaced by Travis Wood after a one-out walk in the second inning and Duda drove home two runs with a double to right-center field.
Cespedes left in the second inning because of soreness in his left shoulder.
“Cespedes’ shoulder is going to be OK,” Manager Terry Collins said. “They didn’t think there was any damage. They thought an injection would calm it down in a day, so he’ll be ready.”