CHICAGO — There could have easily been a sense of foreboding surrounding the Mets' destiny through four innings on Tuesday night.

David Peterson was stung by the Cubs' bats and pulled after his shortest start of the season. The Mets' disorderly defense, which suddenly appears a major concern, emerged once again.

It all amounted to a five-run deficit for the Mets in their biggest game of the season.

But the once-buried Mets chiseled away at their deficit and punched back twice for a massive win, 9-7, in front of 35,729 fans on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

Francisco Alvarez, playing through a right thumb UCL sprain and lefty pinky fracture, rose up for the bombastic clutch moment, tagging a two-out, go-ahead two-run home run off Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar in the top of the eighth in

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