Lindor's 30-30 Milestone Lights Up Wrigley
It was a night that felt bigger than a regular Saturday game. Hispanic and Latino Heritage Night turned the Wrigley Field lights into a party, and the Mets walked out ready to make a statement. In the third inning, Francisco Lindor stepped into the box and launched his 30th home run of the season. That blast not only pulled the Mets ahead 3-0, it also pushed Lindor into the exclusive 30‑30 club—30 homers and 30 steals in one season. Few players ever reach that mark, so you could hear the crowd’s gasp as the ball cleared the fence.
After that, the Mets didn’t look back. The momentum from Lindor’s three‑run shot seemed to energize the whole lineup. Pitcher Trevor Miller settled in, throwing strikes and keeping the Cubs off balance. The Mets’ defense turned a few double plays that kept Chicago’s offense at bay, and the scoreboard slowly widened.
Cubs Fight Back but Fall Short
Shota Imanaga finally got his turn on the mound after a seven‑week hamstring scare. The left‑hander had been impressive lately—59 strikeouts and just eight walks in his last ten outings—so there were hopes he could keep the Mets quiet. Instead, his reputation as a fly‑ball pitcher showed up in the worst way. He walked the line of the fence too often, and the Mets took advantage, sending several balls over the wall.
Chicago’s answer came in the form of Seiya Suzuki. After a sluggish second half—batting just .201 with two homers and 16 RBIs—Suzuki exploded for a pair of home runs and drove in four runs. It was his fifth multi‑homer game of the year, and for a moment it looked like the Cubs might stage a comeback.
- Suzuki’s first homer came in the fifth inning, cutting the lead to 6-3.
- His second blast followed quickly, bringing the score to 6-5 and giving the Cubs a glimmer of hope.
Even with Suzuki’s heroics, the Mets answered back. Brett Baty added a three‑run homer in the fourth inning, stretching the gap to 6-0. He was later named player of the game for that decisive blow. The Cubs tried to rally in the later innings, but Imanaga, despite the early home runs, managed to strike out a few key hitters and close the door.
The final 8-5 scoreboard kept the Mets firmly in the playoff picture. Their magic number sits at just two, meaning they need just a couple of wins or a rival slip to lock a postseason spot. For the Cubs, the loss adds pressure. With only three games left, they’ll have to iron out the late‑season slump that has dogged them all year.
Both teams walk away with stories to tell. Lindor’s place in the 30‑30 club will be replayed in highlight reels, while Suzuki’s late surge reminds fans that a hot streak can happen at any time. The Mets look to ride this wave into October, and the Cubs will be scrambling to avoid a disappointing finish.