The Associated Press
CHICAGO—One final, charmed swing by Daniel Murphy and the N.Y. Mets finished a playoff sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
A new generation of “Amazins” is heading to the World Series.
Murphy homered for a record sixth-consecutive post-season game as the Mets brushed aside the Cubs 8-3 last night—capping a National League Championship Series in which New York never trailed.
“I can’t explain it,” Murphy said.
“It’s such a blessing to contribute to what we’ve been able to do.”
Lucas Duda hit a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the second at Wrigley Field—silencing a crowd of 42,227 desperately hoping for the beginning of an epic comeback in Game 4.
Not this time. Not with New York’s array of power arms and Murphy swinging a hot stick that made him the NLCS MVP.
Manager Terry Collins’ team advanced to the World Series for the first time since the Mets lost to the cross-town Yankees in five games in 2000.
They will play at either Toronto or Kansas City in Game 1 on Tuesday night (the Royals lead 3-2 in the ALCS).
But the first big question for New York is the health of centre-fielder Yoenis Cespedes, who left in the second inning with soreness in his left shoulder.
Any health issue for the slugger could be a big factor in the next round.
The Cubs, meanwhile, still haven’t won the crown since 1908.
Manager Joe Maddon’s wild-card bunch surged into this series but was overmatched.
“They did not let us up for air at any point,” Maddon noted.
“Their domination of the early part of the game and their pitching was impressive.”
By wrapping it up fast, the Mets now can set up their imposing rotation how they want for the World Series.
Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard all will be on full rest, and then some.
Right when it looked as if his historic streak was coming to an end, Murphy connected for a two-run drive to centre against Fernando Rodney in the eighth inning.
The second baseman raised his right arm as he rounded first after his seventh homer of the playoffs—the string includes a shot in the deciding Game 5 of the NL Division Series at Dodger Stadium last week.
Murphy, who was tied with Carlos Beltran for the post-season homer streak, finished with four hits and batted .529 (9-for-17) in the series.
Duda doubled twice and d’Arnaud also homered as the Mets won their fifth pennant.
Bartolo Colon pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his first playoff win since 2001 (for Cleveland at Seattle).
The 14 years, 12 days between post-season victories for the 42-year-old right-hander snapped the major-league record of exactly 14 years for Milt Wilcox, according to STATS.
