Phillies Fall to Cubs, 5-2

The big news of the night was the Chase Utley extension. He didn’t start the game, but nearly finished it in the seventh when he, as the go-ahead run–was thrown out at home after a collision with Dioner Navarro. The Phillies never got that go-ahead run in, and a three run home run in the top of the ninth by Donnie Murphy propelled the Cubs over the Phillies, 5-2. The good news is that Domonic Brown hit his 25th home run of the season.

GOOD OUTING FOR HAMELS

Cole Hamels had a solid outing. He gave up two runs over seven innings, while scattering six hits and striking out three. He didn’t get a decision, but this was definitely a good start for him. He lowered his ERA to 3.81 (down from 3.87). He threw 61 strikes to 21 balls.

His opponent, Travis Wood, (you might remember him for almost throwing a perfect game at Citizens Bank Park) had an equally good start. He threw 6.1 innings, gave up two runs, struck out seven and walked one.

BULLPEN BLOWS IT

The Phils got Hamels off the hook for the loss with an RBI single by Utley, but with the game tied in the ninth inning, Justin De Fratus erased all hopes for a win by giving up a monster three run home run. He was throwing well before leaving one down the middle. Luis Garcia started the mess by not being able to find the strike zone, with three walks in the inning. He also received the loss.

UP NEXT:

The Phillies and Cubs play one more tomorrow afternoon at 1:05, with former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija taking on Ethan Martin.