The Chicago Cubs completed a four-game series sweep against the New York Mets on Thursday night, June 25, 2026, secured by a 10th-inning RBI double from Pete Crow-Armstrong at Citi Field.
The defeat concluded a difficult stretch for New York, who fell to a 34-46 record after enduring a doubleheader sweep the previous day that included a six-error defensive collapse in the second game.
Following the doubleheader losses on Wednesday, the Mets traded starting pitcher David Peterson to the Cubs in exchange for infield prospect Cole Mathis, addressing a wave of pitching injuries in Chicago.
Mets' Defensive Woes and Frustration
According to sports. yahoo.
com, the Mets defense committed six infield errors during Wednesday's 10-5 loss, prompting boos and chants from fans at Citi Field for former first baseman Pete Alonso.
Mets announcers Gary Cohen and Ron Darling criticized the performance on air, questioning whether the high-payroll roster was capable of winning this season.
"This team is in the depths of despair," said Gary Cohen, announcer.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed frustration over the team's defensive execution and overall performance during the series.
"Everybody’s pissed. Everybody’s frustrated," said Carlos Mendoza, manager.
The roster move followed prolonged struggles for the Mets, who had lost eight of ten games against direct wild-card contenders by Thursday.
"I’ve seen [Peterson] have success, make the All-Star [team], seen him struggle a lot, and how he handled it, but it got to a point where we needed the flexibility on the roster," said Carlos Mendoza, manager.
Mendoza noted that keeping starting pitchers in the bullpen alongside Kodai Senga was unsustainable for the club's pitching staff.
"We already had Kodai in the pen, and to continue to have starters in the bullpen, it’s not going to be sustainable.
There was an opportunity to make a deal and we move forward," said Carlos Mendoza, manager.
Cubs Overcome Injuries, Celebrate Sweep
The Cubs roster overcame substantial injury challenges during the series, placing pitchers Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera on the injured list alongside Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton, and Justin Steele.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell highlighted the collective effort of his players to secure the road sweep and improve Chicago's record to 44-37.
"We asked a lot of everybody in this series," said Craig Counsell, manager.
Counsell emphasized that playing winning baseball required contributions from numerous individuals across the four days in New York.
"When you are playing good baseball, there are a lot of names to mention.
That was absolutely the case in the last four days and tonight as well," said Craig Counsell, manager.
Crow-Armstrong, a former Mets prospect traded to Chicago in 2021, drove in the game-winning run against New York left-hander Brooks Raley.
"I saw two sinkers [from Raley] that I didn’t see [from him] yesterday. I was on velo.
I was ready," said Pete Crow-Armstrong, outfielder.
The outfielder noted that he enjoys returning to New York to see former teammates and talk with players like Francisco Alvarez.
"I’m past the point of remembering that I was [with the Mets].
I never really received a taste of Citi Field or anything like that," said Pete Crow-Armstrong, outfielder.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the series regardless of the opponent.
"I just really like coming back, seeing Mark [Vientos], seeing Baty and talking a little crap with Alvy [Francisco Alvarez].
Just coming back and seeing my guys is always fun. Four wins is four wins, no matter who it comes against.
I’m just really happy about that," said Pete Crow-Armstrong, outfielder.
Before his trade, Peterson reflected on his decade-long tenure within the New York organization and his transition to Chicago.
"Some shock in the moment," said David Peterson, starting pitcher.
The left-hander expressed appreciation for his time in New York while acknowledging the professional realities of Major League Baseball.
"I was drafted by the Mets -- spent 10 years there.
A lot of good memories, a lot of great people and friendships that I'll have for a long time.
But you kind of move on to the next step. It’s the business of the game.
I’m excited for the opportunity," said David Peterson, starting pitcher.
Prior to the trade, Peterson had spoken about the team's placement in the standings following a difficult start against Philadelphia.
"I wouldn’t say there’s a concern because that’s not where our focus should be," said David Peterson, starting pitcher.
He defended the roster's daily preparation and collective effort despite the negative outcomes on the field.
"We obviously have not put ourselves in a situation we want to be in, but it’s not for a lack of effort, it’s not for a lack of commitment.
I think it’s just one through 26 getting the job done . .
.
I think for us, it’s continuing to come to the ballpark, continuing to be excited to play with each other, committed to our good work, and going out and competing," said David Peterson, starting pitcher.
The Mets entered Thursday with a 7.1 percent chance of reaching the postseason according to FanGraphs, sitting 9 1/2 games out of the final National League wild-card spot.
