Edmundo Sosa broke the tie with a short sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, Whit Merrifield followed with an RBI single and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the struggling Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Wednesday night.
Trea Turner scored easily from third base on a 260-foot fly from Sosa to give the Phillies the lead, but rookie center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong’s throw went well down the first base line.
All-Star Alec Bohm hit his 11th homer, a two-run homer, to finish with two hits as the Phillies recorded their third straight victory. Philadelphia reserve catcher Rafael Marchán homered and doubled in his 12th game since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 11 after three-time All-Star JT Realmuto was injured.
The Phillies, who have the majors’ best record at 57-29, played their fifth straight game without Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Philadelphia is 4-1 without the injured sluggers.
Crow-Armstrong drove in two runs with a pair of doubles for the last-place Cubs, who lost their third straight and eighth in 10. Cody Bellinger had two hits and an RBI.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out seven and walking two in a no-decision. Matt Strahm (4-1) pitched the seventh and earned the win despite allowing a run on Bellinger’s game-tying single.
José Alvarado worked around a single in the ninth for his 13th save. Center fielder Johan Rojas made a diving catch of Nico Hoerner’s liner for the second out.
Tyson Miller (2-1), who allowed two runs to Philadelphia in the eighth inning, suffered the loss.
Cubs starter Shota Imanaga surrendered three runs on six hits, struck out eight and walked one in six innings. The left-handed pitcher delivered a second solid outing in a row after being shelled for 11 runs by the Mets on June 21.
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on doubles down the right-field line by Happ and Crow-Armstrong.
Marchán’s solo shot to left-center netted the equalizer in the third.
Turner led off the sixth with a single. Bohm followed with a 415-foot drive to left-center on a low fastball to put Philadelphia ahead 3-2.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: Manager Rob Thomson said both Harper (left hamstring strain) and Schwarber (left groin strain) were “increasing the intensity” of their rehabs. The two were placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering injuries in a 7-4 loss to Miami last Thursday. … Realmuto (right knee soreness), on the IL since June 10, has begun receiving exercises.
Cubs: RPH Yency Almonte got a second opinion on his strained right shoulder and is out of action, manager Craig Counsell said. Almonte, who is on a 60-day IL through May 8, must choose between a strength-training program and surgery.
NEXT ONE
The Phillies send LHP Christopher Sanchez (6-3, 2.41) to the mound to face Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (4-4, 4.03) in the final game of the series on Thursday.
