Nick Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies took Game 2 at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, winning 8-5. 

Aaron Nola was on the mound for the Phillies and really didn’t have anything close to his best stuff. Nola lasted just five innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, and three walks while striking out four. 

Still, thanks to a very strong night at the plate from The Fightins, Nola was able to improve to 7-5 on the season and earn the win. 

Edmundo Sosa, who got the start at third base, got things rolling for the Phillies in the top of the second inning with a two-run home run that scored Josh Harrison. 

Side Note: Shoutout to the Phillies Twitter team who refused to say the Chief Keef “Sosa” line correctly, which actually reads “These Bitches Love Sosa”. Pretty funny exchange in the replies. 

Anyways, who else but Nick Castellanos quickly made it a 5-0 lead for the Philadelphia Phillies after he smoked an 0-1 curve back into the nets in left field. 

Nick Castellanos 3-Run Home Run

I feel like I talk about it every article, but Nick Castellanos continues to be absolutely incredible. Maybe it’s because I tried to tell everyone constantly last season that Castellanos would bounce back and be in serious contention to win the Silver Slugger Award this season? Possibly, but this isn’t about me. 

It’s about Nick Castellanos. 

Castellanos is batting .314 with 24 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 49 RBIs and an .857 OPS this season. In the month of June, Castellanos is batting .371 with 33 hits, 5 home runs, 21 RBIs, and 12 runs scored over 22 games. 

According to MLB.com, when asked how he’s been able to turn things on in his second season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Castellanos responded “I don’t know”.

I love it.

The Cubs finally got on the board in the bottom of the third inning on a Jared Young solo home run to right field. Castellanos immediately responded in the top of the fourth inning on a double to center field that scored Kyle Schwarber. 

Bryce Harper then singled to score Castellanos and give the Phillies a 7-1 lead before last night’s game even reached the fifth inning. Josh Harrison added another run with a solo home run in the top of the 5th to give the Phillies an 8-2 lead. 

Matt Strahm tossed two innings in relief, allowing a hit while striking out four. Yunior Marte followed throwing a scoreless inning and striking out one. Jose Alvarado came in for the final inning, allowing two hits and an unearned run while striking out three. 

Phillies’ pitching wasn’t the best but hey, a win is a win. 

Taijuan Walker will take the mound looking to complete the sweep of the Chicago Cubs tonight at 8:05PM. Over his last four games, Walker is 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA and has allowed just two earned runs over 26 innings pitched. 

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