The Mets made it fun in the ninth inning for the second game in a row, but unlike Papelblow 7/5/12 the rally came up short tonight. They entered the frame down 8-4 and managed to score three runs with the help of wild Cubs closer Carlos Marmol. Jordany Valdespin led off the frame with a solo home run. Ruben Tejada, Daniel Murphy, and David Wright followed with three consecutive walks, then pinch-hitter Ike Davis cracked a two-run single to make it 8-7. But Lucas Duda lined into a double play right back at Marmol to end it. Rats!

It was one of those games in which Johan Santana gives up home run after home run. Like this game against the Phillies in 2009. Or this game against the Phillies in 2010. Or this game against the Yankees a few weeks ago. Reed Johnson took Santana deep on the second pitch of the game, the first of three longballs allowed by our man Johan in 4.2 forgettable innings of work. The Cubs had a 7-2 lead when Santana departed in the fifth inning. Ramon Ramirez and Miguel Batista combined to allow five hits and one run in 4.1 innings of relief.

We knew it was over when...

Duda lined into the game-ending double play.

What else?

• Justin Turner went 4-for-4 with a double. Suck it, haters!
  
• Duda hit a solo home run to right-center field in the second inning.
• Notorious free swinger Valdespin drew a walk.
• Santana finishes the first half of the season with a 3.24 ERA in 102.2 innings.

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by Terry_is_God; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.