It's pretty sad that with this team, a four-run lead isn't good enough to breathe easily. Last night the Phillies led the Cubs 9-5 headed into the top of the ninth inning and after Jonathan Papelbon allowed three runs to score (two earned) the Phillies were able to clinch their first win in nearly a week. It was scary and it just goes to prove that this team isn't safe from any kind of comeback. Tonight the Phillies will look to build off their 51st win of the year as Cole Hamels (4-13, 3.87 ERA) and Travis Wood (7-8, 3.05 ERA) take the mound in game two.
Jonathan Papel bon screwed Cole Hamels out of his fifth win last time out. On Thursday against the Giants Hamels tossed eight scoreless innings with a one-run lead, which he drove in himself, as well as striking out five. Over his last six starts, Hamels has a 2.09 ERA but has an unfortunate 2-2 record to go along with it. Hamels has a good track record against the Cubs, owning a 3-1 record and a 2.37 ERA in over 38 innings against them.
Travis Wood is coming off of his worst start of the season on Friday against the Dodgers. Wood allowed five earned runs to tie his season-high in 3 1/3 innings as well as matching a career-high-tying five walks. Taking his eighth loss of the season, Wood is looking to rebound as he takes on the Phillies. Wood hasn't pitched against them since 2011, but owns a 1.80 ERA in two starts against them, including a one-hit shut out in 2010.
Game Notes:
- Domonic Brown drove in two runs last night in his first start in two weeks.
- Darin Ruf has reached base safely in each of his past 33 games, the longest active streak in the Majors.
- If Cole Hamels loses tonight's game it will be the first time in his career that he is 10 games under .500 on the year.
Phillies lineup:
- Michael Young 3B
- Kevin Frandsen 2B
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Domonic Brown LF
- Darin Ruf 1B
- Delmon Young RF
- John Mayberry Jr. CF
- Erik Kratz C
- Cole Hamels P.
Cubs lineup:
- Junior Lake CF
- Darwin Barney 2B
- Starlin Castro SS
- Dioner Navarro C
- Thomas Neal LF
- Cody Ransom 1B
- Cole Gillespie RF
- Donnie Murphy 3B
- Travis Wood P.
First Pitch Forecast: Partly Cloudy – 76° – 15% PoP – Later T-Storms – 60% PoP
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.
