The Chicago Cubs took a frustrating loss on Monday, with the Philadelphia Phillies securing the victory with a 4-3 score in extra innings.
The Cubs had a tall task with starter Zach Wheeler throwing for the Phillies. The 35-year-old has been one of the better pitchers in the game in recent years, and he had 96 strikeouts over 76 innings heading into Monday's contest. But Kyle Tucker got the scoring going right away in the first inning when he took the Phillies' ace deep for a 387 ft. solo homer.
Unfortunately, this was the only run the Cubs would score until the eighth inning. Wheeler locked in for six innings and seven strikeouts, with Happ's homer the only earned run he surrendered on the day.
Ian Happ delivered the Cubs' second run on a solo shot in the eighth that tied the game at two runs apiece.
Happ and Tucker also delivered a pair of outfield assists that likely kept the game within striking distance for Chicago. When the game went into extras, clutch defense by Matt Shaw also kept the game alive.
With runners on first and second with nobody out, Shaw converted a groundball into a double play by stepping on third and firing a strike to Michael Busch at first. Shaw then snagged another sharp groundball that ended the inning to keep the game tied.
But even after a clutch double from Pete Crow-Armstrong in the top of 11th inning, it wasn't enough to overcome the Phillies in the bottom half. With Daniel Palencia still on the mound, J.T. Realmuto immediately delivered a game-tying single that scored Nick Castellanos, who was the courtesy runner on second base.
Singles from Bryson Stott, Otto Kemp, and a walk-off knock from Brandon Marsh ended the affair with a 4-3 final. Marsh's single was only one of two earned runs given up by the Cubs' pitching staff. Starter Matthew Boyd delivered six innings with eight hits, two runs, two walks, and no strikeouts in his ninth quality start this year.
Relievers Ryan Pressly, Brad Keller, and Drew Pomeranz also had scoreless appearances.
What's Next On Tap?
The Cubs still have a chance to win the series with Colin Rea dueling Mick Abel on Tuesday and Ben Brown taking the mound against Jesus Luzardo on Wednesday. If the Cubs can take the next two games, they will escape the difficult road trip with a winning record.
