Cubs win challenge on close play at plate

CHICAGO -- The Cubs benefited from replay in the second inning Thursday night.

It appeared that the bottom of the inning had come to an end when Mets left fielder Andrew Brown threw out Luis Valbuena trying to score from third on a flyout by Eli Whiteside. It was the third out and the Mets left the field, but Cubs manager Rick Renteria challenged the play.

The call was overturned when replays showed that even though the throw arrived before the runner, Valbuena was able to get his hand on the plate before catcher Travis d'Arnaud could apply the tag.

So, the Cubs took a 1-0 lead as Whiteside was credited with a sacrifice fly.

The next batter was pitcher Travis Wood and he crushed the first offering from Mets starter Jacob deGrom halfway up into the left-field bleachers for a two-run home run and a 3-0 Cubs lead.