Time for panic? Phillies drop 4th straight to Cubs in 4-2 loss
The Phillies inevitable September collapse continued Wednesday night, as the Cubs handed them their 4th straight loss in a 4-2 defeat.
Cubs (69-86) Beat Phillies (83-71)
- Winning Pitcher: Hayden Wesneski (3-1, 2.33)
- Losing Pitcher: Aaron Nola (10-13, 3.36)
- Save:
The Phillies were only 2-16 with runners in scoring position on Wednesday night, scoring just two runs despite combining as a team for 11 hits. A dismal performance after only moving one runners into scoring position in Tuesday’s loss. Altogether, it was yet another night of lousy baseball from a Phillies team that seemingly has no pulse despite being smack dab in the middle of a playoff race.
Aaron Nola was effectively out-dueled by a rookie pitcher who had spent most of the summer at AAA-Scranton-Wilkes Barre in the Yankees organization. Hayden Wesneski allowed only one earned run and threw junk all night, which the Phillies were more than happy to swing at. Then mediocre reliever after reliever for the Cubs was able to allow a lead off single or walk without any hint of danger.
The Phillies lead-off hitter reached base on every occasion between the 4th and 9th inning, yet the lineup did nothing. The only run production came in the form of two Bryce Harper sacrifices in the 3rd and 7th innings. Despite the 2-RBI, it’s pretty clear Harper is struggling long term after returning from a shattered thumb and. is no longer capable of carrying this team.
At the moment this lineup is where extra base hits and power go to die.
With the loss the Phillies have lost 9 of their last 12 games and are now just 0.5 games head of the Milwaukee Brewers for the final playoff spot in the National League. But we all knew this was going to happen, right?
The good news is the clubhouse wont have much time to dwell on their dire circumstances with a series-finale day game on Thursday afternoon.
Aaron Nola is dealing through 2 innings.
The Phils loaded the bases up with only one out in the 4th inning, but failed to move any of the runners.
Rhys Hoskins makes a fantastic diving play at first to rob Wilson Contreras of a single in the 4th inning.
Cristopher Morel hits a go-ahead home run for the second straight night, this time a 3-run shot off Aaron Nola in the 5th inning. Damn.
4-1 Cubs
Aaron Nola vents some frustration after exiting having allowed 4 earned runs in 6 innings.
Matt Vierling and Kyle Schwarber both strikeout as the Phillies strand two more runners in the 8th inning.
After Rhys Hoskins leads the 9th inning off with a single, Harper, Realmuto, and Bohm are unable to move the runner.
Cubs win 4-2
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies take on the Cubs on Thursday afternoon in the final game of a three game set in Chicago at Wrigley Field looking to avoid the series sweep.
Ranger Suarez (10-5, 3.38) will toe the rubber facing off against Javier Assad (1-2, 4.28) with the first pitch scheduled for 2:20 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Charles Rex Arbogast
