Cubs Chart New Course

The pendulum has swung for the Chicago Cubs.

“The first two weeks of the season, we didn’t have any breaks going our way,” Cubs right-hander Frank Castillo said. “Today, we had some breaks going our way and we took advantage of it. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

The Cubs snapped a season-opening 14-game losing streak in Sunday’s second game of a doubleheader. On Monday, Chicago won its second straight -- and second of the year, downing the New York Mets 6-4.

“We took advantage of them today,” said Scott Servais, who drove in the Cubs’ first three runs with a two-run double and an RBI single. “I didn’t hit the ball hard, but I found the right holes.

“That’s what you’ve got to do, give yourself a chance.”

The Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead, then fell behind 4-3 in the sixth.

But errors by Butch Huskey and John Olerud led to a a pair of unearned runs in the seventh inning, yielding the Cubs’ final three runs on as many miscues.

“We gave them the runs after making a comeback to take the lead,” Mets manager Bobby Valentine said. “I wouldn’t call our play sloppy. The guys just need to relax, get some good leads, and play steady ball.”

The Mets have now committed 15 errors for the season, including seven in the last four games. They are only 3-7 in their last 10 decisions.

Dave Hansen, hitting for Castillo, doubled off Greg McMichael (0-2) leading off and third baseman Butch Huskey threw Brian McRae’s bunt wildly past first, allowing Hansen to score the tying run. It was Huskey’s sixth error of the season.

McRae took second on defensive indifference, Mark Grace walked with one out and Doug Glaville hit a two-out grounder to shortstop. But Olerud bobbled the throw from shortstop Rey Ordonez, allowing McRae to score the go-ahead run.

Chicago added a run in the eighth when Rey Sanchez doubled with one out, stole third and came home as catcher Todd Hundley’s throw went into left field for another error.

“When the opposition gives you chances, you have to take advantage of them. We got a couple of extra outs in those innings today,” said Cubs manager Jim Riggleman.

Castillo (1-3) allowed four runs and four hits in six innings. Terry Adams pitched 2 1-3 innings for the save.

Servais hit a two-run double in the fourth and an RBI single in the sixth.