The Cubs did a lot well on Wednesday. The offense provided an early lead in the third inning. The Cubs scored five times with three singles, two doubles, a walk and a sacrifice fly. They continued to tack on, with efforts including homers from Matt Shaw, who had a three-hit night, and Michael Busch, who also recorded a double and a walk.

The Mets overcame a brutal David Peterson start and ugly defensive play, finally going ahead after the Reds had already lost their game against the Pirates.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw responded after he faced criticism for skipping a crucial game to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. “[Kirk’s] wife Erika had texted me, asking me if I would come to the funeral,

“Matt Shaw was unavailable today,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. “He attended the funeral of a friend.” Kirk attended a recent Cubs game at Wrigley Field and posed with Shaw and teammate Michael Busch.

The Cubs, on the cusp of clinching home field for the Wild Card series against the Padres, have not been able to take a single digit off the magic number for such things since Friday. It remains at 4 after the Cubs lost to the Reds 1-0 for the second time this weekend, and the Padres defeated the White Sox in Chicago Sunday afternoon.