Mets 3, Cubs 1: Gee Gem

Dillon Gee outpitched his more-hyped counterpart, Jeff Samardzija, as the Mets took game two of the series from the Cubs. Gee's three runs of support all came via the longball. Jordany Valdespin hit a solo home run in the second inning and Ike Davis smacked a two-run shot in the third inning. Valdespin went deep for the second game in a row and now has four on the season. Ike is tied with Scott Hairston and Lucas Duda for the team lead in home runs with twelve.

Gee went eight strong innings, allowing one run on seven hits. He struck out four and walked none. Only one of the hits he allowed went for extra bases, a double by Luis Valbuena in the sixth inning. Valbuena later scored on a single by David DeJesus to account for the Cubs only run. Gee got it done today with control. He threw a first pitch strike to 21 of 29 batters he faced, good for 72%, well above his season mark of 59% and the league average of 60%. He went to a three ball count just three times. Gee finishes the first half of the season with a 4.10 ERA and even better peripherals.

Nothing like taking care of business against a second-division club. Sunday's rubber game before the All-Star Break is one the Mets ought to have. Jon Niese faces a fresh-off-the-disabled-list Ryan Dempster, at 1:10 pm.

We knew it was over when...

Bobby Parnell struck out Steve Clevenger looking with a runner on second base for the final out of the game.

What else?

Parnell touched 100 mph several times in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save. He allowed a scorching double to Anthony Rizzo to start the inning before sending down the next three batters one-two-three. Ruben Tejada helped out his mate Parnell with a fantastic over-the-shoulder grab of a Bryan LaHair pop-up to shallow left-center field for the second out of the inning.

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; her effort in the game thread embiggens us all.