NY Mets 17, Chi. Cubs 1

Mets 17, Cubs 1: Scott Hairston hit a grand slam and Daniel Murphy hit his first two home runs as visiting New York avoided a sweep in emphatic fashion, routing Chicago.

David Wright drove in five runs and Ike Davis homered and drove in four in support of Jon Niese (6-3), whose strong start was overshadowed by the offensive explosion.

Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (5-7) was pounded for nine runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander allowed a pair of home runs and has posted a 12.27 ERA while losing each of his last four starts.

New York began its onslaught in the fourth inning, when Davis doubled in a run and Murphy followed with a two-run blast to make it 4-1.

Samardzija melted down in the fifth, walking Niese to lead off the inning and allowing a two-run double to Wright. Davis came up after another walk and ended Samardzija’s day by blasting a three-run homer to left-center.

Casey Coleman was not much better in the sixth, again walking Niese to start the frame and allowing three straight singles and issuing another walk before recording the first out. Hairston came up with the bases loaded and sent a first-pitch curveball out to left-center for the grand slam.

Niese lasted seven innings, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out six and walking one.

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