Cubs-Phillies Postgame
When you are in a June swoon, and have lost 10 of your previous 12 games, the Phillies were looking for anything to win this series against the Chicago Cubs, who they have split, so far, in this three-game series..
The team responded on Wednesday afternoon, as Philadelphia got a strong outing from Jesus Luzardo, and timely offense, as they defeated the Cubs, 7-2, at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia scored three times in the bottom of the first inning, as Trea Turner led off with a single, followed by a Kyle Schwarber walk. After a double steal, Alec Bohm knocked in the first run with an RBI ground out. The lead was extended to 2-0, as Max Kepler, hit an RBI double to right center field. It became 3-0, as J.T. Realmuto hard grounder went off of Cubs’ 2nd baseman, Nico Hoerner, that scored Kepler from second base.
In the bottom of third inning, it was Schwarber hitting his 21st home run of the season, as he jumped on a fastball from Chicago’s starter, Ben Brown, and hit it 431 feet over the right center field wall.
In the fourth inning, Chicago did cut it to 4-1, on an RBI double by Hoerner. However, the Phillies did respond in the bottom half of the inning. Otto Kemp led off with a single to right, then Turner hit a one-out double to right field that Cubs’ outfielder, Kyle Tucker, could have caught, but could not hold the ball in his glove. After Schwarber struck out, it was Bohm lining a single to left that scored both Kemp and Turner, and that gave the Phillies a 6-1 lead.
The Philles capped off the scoring, as Bohm knocked in his fourth run of the game, as he hit home run #6 of the season, off of Cubs’ reliever, Genesis Cabrera, as it just got over the left field wall.
As for Luzardo, who was coming off of two straight horrendous starts, he was outstanding today, as he went six strong innings, and allowed five hits, one run, and struck out ten without walking a batter.
Up next for Phillies
The Phillies will have an off day tomorrow, but will start a weekend series at home against the Toronto Blue Jays, and it will be Ranger Suarez taking the mound against Kevin Gausman. First pitch scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
-David Weightman/ Olde City Sports Network