Phillies Break Homeless Streak with Impressive Win Over Cubs

CHICAGO — After a five-day home run drought, the Phillies understood the challenges ahead at Wrigley Field on Saturday afternoon, where conditions were anything but favorable.

With a temperature of 47 degrees at the start of the game and a strong 15-20 mph wind blowing in from left field, both teams needed to prioritize getting on base. The Phillies capitalized, scoring six runs in the fourth inning and three in the sixth, ultimately defeating the Cubs 10-4.

“Sometimes it just takes a lucky hit to trigger a big inning,” manager Rob Thomson noted after the team faced a five-game losing streak.

Thomson’s remark turned out to be spot on when Max Kepler delivered a key bloop hit in shallow left, bringing in the Phillies’ first run. This set the stage for an explosive inning, featuring an RBI single from Alec Bohm, a sacrifice fly from Johan Rojas, an RBI single by Bryson Stott, and a two-run double from Bryce Harper.

Kepler reflected on the fourth inning’s success, stating, “It started off with some less-than-perfect hits, but we created opportunities. Focusing on the small things allows the bigger moments to happen.” The inning marked a high point for the Phillies this season with five hits in a single inning with runners in scoring position.

Starter Jesus Luzardo continued to shine, allowing no hits until the fifth inning and recording a 1.73 ERA this season. His performance has provided much-needed stability for the rotation, especially in the absence of Ranger Suarez and an ineffective Aaron Nola.

As the series continues, Kepler is finding his rhythm, contributing significantly with a 3-for-5 performance and a solo homer. With an increasing comfort at the plate, he has become a notable asset at Wrigley Field, showcasing an impressive .391 batting average in the venue. The Phillies will aim for a series win on Sunday Night Baseball, as temperatures are expected to improve slightly.