New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy hit in the leadoff spot for the first time this season and made the best of it, slugging a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the eighth-inning to give the Mets a 4-3 lead en route to a victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Murphy had a seven-game hitting streak entering the game, which was extended with the solo shot in the eighth-inning.
In that eight-game span, Murphy has gone 14 for 32, batting .438 with two home runs and five RBI. Murphy has rebounded from a slow start to the month of May, following a solid April where he batted .290 with 29 hits.
New York would counter with a two-run home run of their own, slugged by center fielder Juan Lagares in the top of the seventh-inning, tying the game at 3-3. Following Murphy’s go-ahead homer, Mets closer Bobby Parnell would finish off the game, striking out Luis Valbuena and Dioner Navarro to end the ninth-inning and the game.
Despite improving to a 17-24 record, New York has only won three of their last seven games. The Mets remain fourth in the NL East standings, 6.5 games back of the division leading Atlanta Braves.
