Bottom shelf of the pitching staff takes the hit night after division clincher
The 2024 National League East Division Champion Philadelphia Phillies (93-65) dropped game two of their series against the Chicago Cubs (81-77) by a score of 10-4 on Tuesday night.
Bryce Harper gave the Phils the early lead with his 30th home run of the season, but the pitchers chosen for sacrifice after last night’s bacchanalia were no match for the sober Cubs.
Rob Thomson tried to disorient Taijuan Walker into pitching well by having Tanner Banks start the game in his stead, but Walker wouldn’t be deterred as he entered the game in the second inning and promptly allowed all of the runners he inherited from Banks to score before adding three runs of his own over the next 1.2 innings.
Kolby Allard wasn’t much better, but he at least finished his plate, allowing four runs over four innings.
As tradition dictates, Stubbs made his obligatory mark on the hangover game in the second inning when he beat out a bunt with a Superman dive into first base to avoid a tag for an RBI single, scoring Nick Castellanos who doubled.
Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run bomb in the eighth inning, his 38th of the year.
Austin Hays returned to the lineup for the first time since September 1st after dealing with a kidney illness. He looks to be fine, as he played a solid left field and recorded a hit.
With a Brewers win earlier tonight and the Dodgers game still in progress, the magic number for Wild Card round bye remains at two.
Cristopher Sanchez is scheduled to face Javier Assad in the rubber match tomorrow before the team heads to Washington to finish the season.
