Mets blast four solo home runs, outmuscle Cubs

The host New York Mets hit four solo home runs and Clay Holmes gave up just one run in six innings en route to a 7-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
The Cubs lead the majors in runs scored, but it was the Mets who were teeing off in the opener of a three-game series.
Jameson Taillon, who had held left-handed batters to a .161 average coming into the game, gave up homers to left-handed-hitting Francisco Lindor, Brett Baty, Jeff McNeil and Juan Soto in the first four innings. It was the first time in his career that the right-hander served up four home runs.
Taillon (2-2) threw 100 pitches in four innings, permitting six runs on nine hits and one walk. He struck out four.
Holmes (5-1) gave up just three hits and three walks while striking out five. The right-hander, who served as the New York Yankees’ closer last year, threw 93 pitches and lowered his ERA to 2.74.
The Mets have won seven straight games started by Holmes, who gave up a solo home run to Kyle Tucker in the fourth inning. It was the first home run Holmes allowed in a Mets uniform, after 39 2/3 innings.
In addition to the homers, New York scored two runs in the third inning without hitting the ball out of the infield.
Brandon Nimmo walked with one out, and Francisco Alvarez singled up the middle when second baseman Nico Hoerner could not make the play. Baty then hit a slow roller to short that he beat out.
Luisangel Acuna followed with a roller to Dansby Swanson at short. Swanson stepped on second but launched his throw to first far over Michael Busch’s head. Instead of an inning-ending double play, Alvarez and Baty scored for a 5-0 Mets lead.
Lindor’s leadoff home run in the first inning was his fourth long ball of the season.
Busch hit his seventh home run in the ninth for the other Cubs’ run as Chicago lost a third straight game for the first time this season. The Mets have won three of their past four.