Mets sweep free falling Cubbies to clinch NL East Title

9/26-9/27 - Shea Stadium
GAME 1 - Mets 5, Cubs 3
Chicago put all their faith on undefeated Cy Young candidate Rick Reuschel, who entered the game with a crisp 7-0 record.  New York countered with Pat Zachry who's biggest claim to fame up until this point was giving up a hit to Pete Rose in the 44th game of his famed hitting streak in 1978.  After giving up the hit Zachry kicked the water cooler and broke his toe and ended his season.  After a Dave Kingman 2 run blast in the first the Mets were quickly in the hole knowing that they wee facing a hurler (Reuschel) who gave up runs like Greta Garbo gave out interviews.  That would soon change in the bottom of the 4th when an error by former Met Lenny Randle allowed John Stearns to reach first to lead off the inning.  Lee Mazzilli singled to put runners on the corners and Stearns scored on a 4-6 force out by Steve "Hendu" Henderson.  Claudell Washington doubled home Maz and a sac fly by Mike Jorgensen plated run number 3.  Joel Youngblood singled with 2 outs and a rare triple by the light hitting Doug Flynn accounted for the 4th run.  New York would  add another run the following inning when Hendu singled home Maz who put himself in scoring position by stealing second after singling.  Kingman would strike again with a solo blast to lead off the top of the 6th to cut New York's lead to 2 runs.  The pen would bail out Zachry, who left with 1 out in the 8th.  Dyar Miller got the final 2 outs in the 8th and Neil Allen would close out the 9th for his 8th save.

GAME 2 - Mets 4, Cubs 3
No black cats, but plenty of drama surrounded this "must win" game for the Cubs.  Starter Dennis Lamp was gone after getting just 1 out in the first.  Willie Hernandez was called on to replace him and not allow the Mets to break the game open.  Hernandez kept the Met scoring to 1 run.  That lead lasted barely a half inning when Barry Foote's sac fly scored Jerry Martin to make it 1-1.  New York would take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second thanks to a host of walks (3) and errors.  Seeing their season slip away the Cubbies rallied for solo runs in the 7th (a Barry Foote solo shot) and the top of the 9th (a Tim Blackwell pinch hit single) to tie the game at 3 all.  Chicago was able to tie the game off of Neil Allen, who blew his second save opportunity of the year.  It wasted a fine performance by starter Ray Burris (7 IP / 2 ER).  Dick Tidrow would start the bottom of the 9th replacing Bruce Sutter who tossed 2 perfect innings of relief.  Tidrow's tenure would last 1 pitch as Mike Jorgensen turned on a fast ball and lined it just inside the foul poll 338 feet down the right field line for a walk off homer.

9/28-9/29 - Wrigley Field
GAME 3 - Mets 3, Cubs 0
With there season officially over the Cubs un-officially mailed this  one in.  Craig Swan (2-1, 4.33) saved his best game of the season for his last start by going 8 1/3 innings and allowing no runs and fanning 9.  Neil Allen would redeem himself by getting the final 2 outs and his 9th save of the season.  Frank Taveras would get 3 hits in 5 at bats, but not score a run, nor did he steal a base which is his expertise.  Joel Youngblood would also post a 3 hit day in 4 plate appearances along with and RBI.  Mike Krukow (2-2, 2.95) would take the loss.  Bill Buckner would have 3 of the Cubs 6 hits and raise his season average to .352.

GAME 4 - Mets 5, Cubs 2
With the Pirates watching the scoreboard and hoping and praying for a Cub win the Mets once again came through late and dispatched the Cubs to clinch the NL East title.  With the score tied at 1 apiece New York would post 2 big runs off of Cub starter Lyn McGlothen (2-6, 4.10) in the top of the 5th.  The "dude", John Stearns would line a 2 run single to right to break the deadlock much to the chagrin of the fans watching the game from the Steeltown.  Pete Falcone (4-3, 5.06) was rock solid with 7 innings of 2 run work.  Granted his outing was against a Cub team that had their bags packed and the  engine on , but he still had to make the pitches.  Dyar Miller and Jeff Reardon held the Cubs at bay in the 8th.  Miller got the first 2 outs before leaving the game due to a pulled calf muscle.  Neil Allen would once again come on to own the 9th by notching his 10th save of the season to go along with his "Mariano-like" 0.95 ERA.  Lee Mazzilli would go 2 for 5 to finish the season with a .343 average and put himself firmly in the conversation for MVP.