It wasn't pretty but it was at least quick Sunday for the New York Mets, who concluded the first half of the 2012 season with 7-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs (33-52) at Citi Field. It was was the second quickest game of the season -- two hours and eight minutes -- the Mets were blanked by a combination of Cubs' starting pitcher Ryan Dempster (4-3, 1.99 ERA) and four other relief pitchers to end the first 86 games with a 46-40 record.
Mets' starting pitcher Jon Niese was rocked for four first-inning runs before settling down to pitch the five scoreless innings. However, Niese (7-4, 3.73 ERA) didn't get the run support needed to help his team avoid a series loss to one of the league's worst clubs.
Dempster, who returned from the disabled list, pitched five scoreless innings and then turned the ball over his bullpen.
Cubs' shortstop Sterling Castors cemented the win for Chicago as he belted a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning. The Mets Daniel Murphy finished the game with three hits.
The Mets will resume play on Friday, when they travel to play a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. New York will begin the second half of its season in a second-place tie in the NL East Division standings, which features the Atlanta Braves and Mets five games behind the first-place Washington Nationals.
Stick with this StoryStream for previews, scores and more from the Mets vs. Cubs series. For all things Mets, check out Amazin' Avenue.