The New York Mets' struggles deepened on Saturday afternoon, as a late-game swing from the Chicago Cubs extended their losing streak to a painful ten games. The 4-2 defeat marks the team's longest skid since 2004, a stat that will weigh heavily on a club desperate for a spark.

The game was a classic pitcher's duel through the early innings. Mets starter Freddy Peralta, facing a familiar NL Central foe, was largely effective, but a solo homer to Ian Happ in the second tied the game after Mark Vientos' 433-foot, 110-mph rocket had given New York an early lead. Peralta's command wavered in the sixth, however, setting the stage for a decisive moment.

With two on and two out, Cubs pinch-hitter Carson Kelly stepped in and delivered the crushing blow: a three-run homer that broke the 1-1 deadlock. While Peralta and the bullpen combined to allow just five hits, two were costly long balls that accounted for all of Chicago's runs.

Offensively, the Mets again couldn't find the timely hit. Despite making Cubs starter Jameson Taillon work early and putting runners in scoring position, they failed to capitalize. The team's power outage continues, with Vientos' blast being just their second home run in the last six games. As this frustrating streak reaches double digits, the pressure mounts for the Mets' lineup to break out and support a pitching staff that has kept games close.