Coming of a franchise moment yesterday with Jimmy Rollins becoming the hits leader, the Phillies (29-38) looked to take the rubber match against the Chicago Cubs (28-39). A.J. Burnett (4-6 4.17 ERA) got the start for the Phillies coming off a win versus the Padres. Burnett was opposed by Travis Wood (7-5 4.48 ERA). Wood won his last start versus the Pirates going six and two third innings.
The Game: The Cubs didn’t wait long to get on the board. With two outs in the first, Anthony Rizzo took Burnett deep for his 14th home run of the season. The Phillies had a chance in the bottom of the inning, after a lead off walk by Ben Revere but failed to capitalize. 1-0 Cubs
Cubs struck again in the third. With one out, Justin Ruggiano singled and then went to second on wild pitch. Rizzo then grounded out on a call that was over turned after a Phillies challenged. Starlin Castro singled him in to add to the lead. 2-0 Cubs
The Cubs put the final nail in the coffin in the sixth. Starlin Castro led off with a double to left and moved to third on a fly out by Ryan Sweeny. Former Phillie Nate Schierhltz doubled to bring him in. 3-0 Cubs.
Phillies threatened in the eighth. Cesar Hernandez singled to lead off the inning, but was stranded at second after Ryan Sweeny made a great catch to rob Chase Utley of an extra base hit. In the bottom of the inning, Ken Giles came in and put on a show for Phillies fans. Giles got Schierholtz and Whiteside on strikes and Barney to pop up.
Neil Ramirez came in the ninth for the Cubs to close out the game. He got Byrd and Brown to fly out and Ruiz to line out to get the save and complete to the shut out. 3-0 Cubs Final
Significant Offensive Stats:
Ben Revere: 1-3, BB
Jimmy Rollins: 1-3, BB
Cesar Hernandez: 1-1
Impact: Phillies lost the series to Cubs. Though the Phillies appear to be in it in the standings, it is time for management to realize that a fire sale is around the corner. With Jimmy Rollins now softening his stance on being traded, it maybe time to blow of the team and eat some salary to acquire top prospects.
Up Next: Tomorrow the Phillies open a series against the division leading Atlanta Braves (35-32). The Phillies will send ace Cole Hamels (2-3 3.07 ERA) to the hill. Hamels is coming off a no decision versus the Padres where he went eight scoreless innings with the Phillies walking off in the ninth. The Braves will counter with their young gun, Julio Teheran (6-4 2.41 ERA). Teheran took the loss in his last start versus the Rockies going 6.1 innings giving up seven runs.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Ashipotofsky
