Cubs Take Three of Four from Mets

The Cubs' Bill Hands makes the Mets bats miss for his first win.

The Cubs are attempting to claw forward after early season woes, taking the first three of a four-game series with the Mets. Ernie Banks continues to find his home-run stroke, smacking two more in the series to give him five on the year and four so far in May. The Cubs are now 13-17 on the year, while the Mets drop to .500 at 14-14.

Game 1: ChC 2, NYM 1
W: Jenkins (3-1)
L: Koosman (2-3)
MVP: Jenkins

Ferguson Jenkins dominates the Metropolitans with a complete game and 7 Ks. Jerry Koosman and reliever Cal Koonce are also sharp for the Mets, and Jenkins has to hold off an eighth-inning rally, after a Ken Boswell double cuts to Cubs lead in half at 2-1. But Jenkins gets out of a two-men-on, one-out jam to preserve the tough win.

Game 2: ChC 5, NYM 2
W: Hands (1-2)
L: Seaver (3-4)
S: Regan (3)
MVP: Hands

Bill Hands picks up his first win of the season (finally), only allowing one hit (to Tom Seaver) and no runs through eigh, en route to striking out nine. Banks' three-run shot is the cushion that Hands needs. Phil Regan nails down his third save when Hands falters in the ninth. Tom Seaver doesn't have it, exiting after five innings and five earned runs.

Game 3: ChC 5, NYM 4
W: Lamabe (1-0)
L: Cardwell (1-4)
MVP: Banks

A see-saw game at Wrigley, with six ties or lead changes. Cleon James hits his first of the year to kick off the offensive fireworks in the top of the first off Rich Nye, and the Mets' Ed Charles chips two RBI singles for runs. But the Cubs keep answering back off Don Cardwell, punctuated with a two-run shot from Randy "The Rebel" Hundley (3)  and two runs scored by Banks. "Mr Cub" also provides the game-winning blow with a 370-foot home-run shot in the bottom of the eighth.  

Game 4: NYM 8, ChC 3
W: Selma (2-0)
L: Niekro (3-3)
S: Frisella (1)
MVP: Frisella

The Mets jump on Joe Niekro for four runs in the top of the first, aided by three walks and a two-run triple from Ron Swoboda. Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky each homer in the rout, while Danny Frisella pitches three strong innings in relief to tamp down any comeback attempts.