On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Phillies squared off again against the Chicago Cubs. After beating the Cubs 13-7 on Monday, they were looking to keep the bats going in the rare April heat.
The Cubs used a left-handed opener to counter the slugging tandem of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, just like a number of other teams. It worked to great effect as Riley Martin pitched a clean first inning.
The offense appeared to gain momentum in the second inning. With one out, Brandon Marsh and JT Realmuto hit back-to-back singles. After Bryson Stott grounded out, Edmundo Sosa emerged as the hero by hitting his first home run of the season, giving the Phillies a 3-0 lead.
Aaron Nola got the start for the Phillies and immediately gave two runs back to the Cubs in the third. It would have been three or more if not for a rocketed assist from right fielder Adolis García. He gave up five hits in the inning.
Nola gave up the tying run in the fifth inning. After two walks, an RBI by Alex Bregman brought the game back to even, but not for long.
Tim Mayza entered the game in the sixth. The left-handed veteran had been excellent for the Phillies in his first 8.2 IP. After getting the first out, the line went as follows: walk, hit-by-pitch, E4, single and a walk. RHP Brad Keller replaced him and gave up a single, bringing in two more runs, 7-3 Cubs.
Sosa continued his hot night in the eighth, leading off with a double. He advanced to third on a Justin Crawford flyout and walked home on a Trea Turner single, making it 7-4.
The chess match was on. The Cubs brought in lefty Caleb Thielbar to counter Schwarber and Harper. Schwarber shoved a single into center, but Harper struck out for the second out. García walked to load the bases. With the lefty on the mound, manager Rob Thomson pinch-hit Brandon Marsh for a struggling Alec Bohm. He struck out.
After the failed rally, Tanner Banks entered the game and joined the lefties-who-struggled-tonight club with Tim Mayza. He allowed a single and a walk, leading to a three-run homer by catcher Carson Kelly. 10-4 Cubs.
With the loss, the Phillies fell back under .500 to 8-9.
