The victory was the second straight for Philadelphia (35-63) and sixth in seven games since the All-Star break.
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“What will you say concerning the dude?” period in-between boss Pete Mackanin said. “Woo!” Papelbon yelled about his teammate, putting his own spin on Ric Flair’s monologue from the closer’s entrance song, as Francoeur spoke with the media.
“We had an opportunity to win it”, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
Chicago salvaged a split of a doubleheader and a four-game series at Cincinnati by rallying from a 5-0 deficit for a 6-5 win Wednesday night and had a much-needed day off Thursday to rest an overtaxed bullpen. Of course, the Phillies would also like to add a pitcher in the deal, but the Cubs may be hesitant to include either Pierce Johnson or Duane Underwood and they certainly won’t part with Carl Edwards Jr. It was Bryant’s 13th home run of the season and Coghlan’s 10th of the year, giving them a 3-2 lead that they held onto through the 8th.
Six Phillies recorded two hits each including Cody Asche (two doubles) and Freddy Galvis (triple). The two-game stretch has been by far the worst of the 31-year-old’s career, and it has come at an terrible time for himself and the Phillies organization. The Chicago left fielder went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. Hamels is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in seven starts against the Cubs, including a 1-1 mark and 3.00 ERA in four starts at Wrigley Field.
That advantage was short-lived thanks to Coghlan’s two-run shot with none out in the bottom of the fourth. Addison Russell then moved Denorfia into scoring position with a groundout and Phillies reliever Ken Giles walked Dexter Flower with one out, setting up the stage for the Cubs Core.
Phillies: Williams (hamstring strain) made his first start on Friday after returning from the 15-day DL on July 21. It also acquires a qualified starter to pair with Jon Lester for the next several seasons atop the Chicago rotation. He pitched six innings and allowed three runs on six hits.
“I heard things got a little testy today”, Maddon reportedly said from behind his protective headgear. “I think I had runners on just about every inning but the seventh maybe. We have the consequences and they’re playing for free right now”.
NOTES: Philadelphia went 5-1 in a post-All Star break homestead. It may be just another game for most of the 2015 Phillies’ players, but for Hamels, this is akin to a game seven of the World Series.
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Some reports indicate Cole Hamels could be pitching for the Chicago Cubs soon, but unless a trade takes place before his scheduled start Saturday afternoon, the left-hander will be in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform trying to beat his potential future team.
