Murphy Homers Again, Mets Take 2-0 Lead Over Cubs

Daniel Murphy homered for the fourth straight playoff game while Noah Syndergaard kept the Cubs' offense off balance, striking out nine over 5 and 2/3 innings as the Mets opened up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven NLCS, taking a 4-1 win on Sunday night at Citi Field.

Murphy set a new franchise mark for postseason home runs (5), taking Chicago ace Jake Arrieta deep in the first inning to cap a three-run first for the Mets.

It was more than enough for Syndergaard (1-1) who allowed just three hits and a walk. Jon Niese made the final out of the sixth, Addison Reed and Tyler Clippard worked the seventh and eighth, and Jeurys Familia closed the door in the ninth.

David Wright had an RBI double in the first inning and Yoenis Cespedes had an RBI ground out in the third. Curtis Granderson scored twice and robbed a home run from Chicago's Chris Coghlan.

Kris Bryant's had an RBI double in the sixth inning that knocked Syndergaard from the game.

Game 3 is Tuesday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Jacob deGrom starts for the Mets, opposed by Kyle Hendricks.