NEW YORK -- Starlin Castro gave Mets fans a firsthand tease of the two-way talent that has so many of them eager to see him in a New York uniform. The All-Star shortstop hit a tiebreaking homer on the first pitch of the ninth inning Sunday, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 2-1 victory at Citi Field. Castro also started a slick double play to snuff out a rally, showing off the full set of skills that could make him an attractive trade target this winter. Chicago has several touted shortstops rising through its system, while the Mets are searching for a solution at that position. So it seems a possible fit, and plenty of Mets backers have called for the team to pursue the 24-year-old Castro. "Hes having a very good season and were glad to see that," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. Chicago starter Jake Arrieta allowed two hits in seven smooth innings. Featuring a sharp curve, he struck out nine and left with a 1-0 lead following Luis Valbuenas run-scoring single in the fourth. "I just had a good feel for it. Was able to throw it in multiple counts, for a strike, below the zone," Arrieta said. "So it was there for me when I needed it today." Curtis Granderson tied it with a two-out RBI single off winner Pedro Strop (2-4) in the eighth, snapping skids of 0 for 17 and 1 for 29. A diving catch by rookie centre fielder Arismendy Alcantara moments earlier prevented more potential damage. Castro greeted closer Jenrry Mejia (5-6) with his 13th home run, an opposite-field drive that barely cleared the wall near the right-field corner. "Just go up there and be aggressive," Castro said. "Weve played a lot of extra-inning games the last 20, 15 games, whatever." Hector Rondon got three quick outs for his 17th save, finishing a four-hitter that ended Chicagos three-game losing streak. Valbuena returned to the lineup and snapped a 1-for-32 slide with a two-out RBI single off Mets rookie Rafael Montero, still looking for his first win after six major league starts. Montero delivered an encouraging performance, though, going 7 1-3 innings for the longest outing of his career. Arrieta struck out three straight in the second and whiffed the 3-4-5 hitters in the fourth. He started a 1-6-3 double play after a leadoff walk in the seventh and was helped out of his toughest jam by Castro in the third. With runners at the corners, the shortstop made a sharp pickup and a nifty flip to start an inning-ending double play against Juan Lagares. Rookie second baseman Javier Baez got in on the act with a barehanded turn. TRAINERS ROOM Cubs: Prized 3B prospect Kris Bryant, who left Saturdays game with Triple-A Iowa, is day to day with a bruised left foot, the result of a foul ball a few days ago. "All indications are hes OK," Renteria said. Bryant has 40 homers combined at Double-A and Triple-A this season, most in professional baseball, and 103 RBIs. He is not on the 40-man roster, however, and the Cubs are not planning to promote him to the majors this season, even when rosters expand in September. Mets: As expected, 3B David Wright was out of the lineup with a sore left shoulder. Wright left Saturdays game one inning after he was hit by a fastball in the back of the shoulder, aggravating an area thats bothered him all summer. Eric Campbell started at third and went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and a double-play grounder. UP NEXT Cubs rookie Kyle Hendricks (4-1, 1.73 ERA) starts the four-game series finale Monday afternoon against 41-year-old Bartolo Colon (11-10, 3.85), who is 0-2 with a 4.73 ERA in five career starts against Chicago. Valbuena has two homers in five at-bats against Colon. WELCOME TO THE SHOW Chicago outfielder Matt Szczur, just called up from Triple-A Iowa, made his major league debut as a pinch runner in the eighth. He stayed in the game in right field and grounded into a fielders choice one inning later. Szczur said he had around 18 people in his cheering section. He is from Cape May, New Jersey, about 3 hours from Citi Field. Renteria said he expects to give Szczur a start at some point. WALK THIS WAY Baez scored after a leadoff walk in the fourth, his first in 55 major league plate appearances. He walked again in the eighth. Will Clark Rangers Jersey . -- Damian Lillard couldnt believe when he got a clear look at the rim. Jeff Mathis Jersey . With their coach gone, they finally played offence the way he would have wanted. Amare Stoudemire made all seven shots in the first half, Anthony passed and shot well, and the Knicks shook off the surprising departure of their coach to rout the Portland Trail Blazers 121-79 on Wednesday night, snapping a six-game losing streak. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/278...ey-rangers.html. - The Cleveland Indians will place centerfielder Michael Bourn on the disabled list before their opener at Oakland on March 31. Yu Darvish Jersey . -- The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed cornerback Perrish Cox to a one-year contract. Wholesale Rangers Jerseys . Fabio Fognini pulled off a surprise 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray to level the best-of-five quarterfinal at 2-2 before Andreas Seppi defeated James Ward 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the decisive match.BEREA, Ohio - Browns wide receiver Miles Austin has been released from a Buffalo-area hospital following a three-day stay with a kidney injury.Cleveland coach Mike Pettine said Austin was released on Wednesday night and has returned to Cleveland. Pettine doesnt think Austins injury is career threatening and believes the 30-year-old will make a full recovery. The team placed him on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season.Austin sent a message on his Twitter account, thanking fans for all the thoughts and prayers.ddddddddddddPettine said Austin made some clutch plays for us during his first season with the Browns. He finished with 47 catches for 568 yards. Pettine said the team will miss Austins production, especially for an offence struggling to score inside the opponents 20-yard line.Austin was injured during Sundays loss against the Bills. He initially complained about stomach discomfort before being transported to the hospital.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '