Cubs 2, Mets 1: Starlin Castro belted a go-ahead homer to lead off the ninth inning as visiting Chicago snapped a three-game losing skid.

Luis Valbuena had a two-out RBI single in the fourth inning for the Cubs, who have won four of the six meetings with New York this season heading into Monday afternoon's finale of the four-game series. Ryan Sweeney and Castro each had two hits and starter Jake Arrieta received a no-decision after scattering a pair of hits and striking out nine over seven scoreless innings.

Curtis Granderson ripped an RBI single in the eighth for just his second hit in 29 at-bats for the Mets, who have won two of the three games in the series despite mustering just four hits in each contest. Ruben Tejada had two singles and starter Rafael Montero settled for a no-decision despite permitting one run on five hits in a career-best 7 1/3 innings.

After New York forged a 1-1 tie, Castro greeted Jenrry Mejia (5-6) by depositing a first-pitch fastball into the seats in right field. Castro's 13th homer was the first surrendered by Mejia since June 1.

The opposite-field blast allowed Pedro Strop (2-4) to pick up the win despite allowing one unearned run on two hits in one inning. Hector Rondon retired the side in order in the ninth for his 17th save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Mired in a 1-for-32 stretch, Valbuena returned from a sinus issue and sent a 2-1 slider from Montero into center to plate rookie 2B Javier Baez to open the scoring. ... New York 3B David Wright sat out after leaving Saturday's game with a sore left shoulder. ... Chicago OF Matt Szczur, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa prior to the contest, made his major-league debut as a pinch runner for Sweeney in the eighth inning. Szczur remained in the game and played in right field.