The New York Mets continued to struggle on Wednesday, dropping both games of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field and extending their losing streak to five games. The team’s record fell to 34-46, marking their worst level below .500 this season. The Cubs secured convincing victories of 10-3 in the opener and 10-5 in the nightcap.

Chicago’s offense was led by dansby Swanson, who accounted for 11 RBIs across the two games. Swanson, batting ninth and entering the series with a .183 average, hit two home runs in the first game—including a grand slam—and drove in seven runs. In the second contest, he added four RBIs, including the go-ahead triple in the sixth inning and a two-run single that capped the scoring in the ninth.

The Mets’ defensive performance was especially problematic in the second game, where they committed six errors, their highest total in a single game since 2014. First baseman Mark Vientos made two of the errors, including a costly misplay in the ninth inning that prompted frustration from the crowd, who began chanting for former Mets star Pete Alonso—a reference to the popular player who left the team in free agency during the off-season. Second baseman Marcus Semien and third baseman Bo Bichette also contributed to the rough defensive outing.

Despite a promising start in both games—including a 3-0 lead through four innings in Game 1 and a 3-1 lead in Game 2—the Mets were unable to hold off the Cubs. Rookie Nolan McLean started the day for New York and pitched six innings in the opener but faltered after giving up three runs in the fifth, including a two-run homer. He finished with nine strikeouts but allowed seven hits, two walks, and hit two batters, bringing his season record to 4-5 with a 4.03 ERA.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the team’s frustrations but emphasized the need for resilience: “You have to punch back. You’ve got to find a way to punch back and keep going.” Mendoza expressed uncertainty about the status of star outfielder Juan Soto, who missed both games due to back tightness and was undergoing evaluation for a possible injured list stint. Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor returned to play in the second game after a two-month absence with a calf strain but went 0-for-5 at the plate.

Offensively, the Mets showed flashes of power, with Francisco Alvarez hitting a solo homer in each of his last three games and rookie AJ Ewing contributing a two-run home run in the second game—the first major league homer by a left-handed batter off a left-handed pitcher in his career. However, the team was unable to translate those hits into victories given their defensive lapses and pitching inconsistencies.

The Mets have now fallen nine games behind in the National League wild-card race less than halfway through the season. Players and coaches alike recognize the challenges ahead as the team works to regain form. “The season is definitely testing our mental fortitude,” McLean said. “Each day, we’re all having conversations with each other figuring out how we can get better.”

The day at Citi Field began with an unusual and lively presence, as a large group of Norwegian soccer fans attending the World Cup celebrations energized the stadium with chants, conga lines, and coordinated cheers. However, by the end of the evening, it was the Cubs fans who left the ballpark the loudest, buoyed by their team’s sweep.