Starting Lineups:

Chicago Cubs (7-9):

1) Nico Hoerner (R) 2B

2) Michael Busch (L) 1B

3) Alex Bregman (R) 3B

4) Ian Happ (S) LF

5) Seiya Suzuki (R) RF

6) Moisés Ballesteros (L) DH

7) Carson Kelly (R) C

8) Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF

9) Dansby Swanson (R)

Starting Pitcher: Riley Martin (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Philadelphia Phillies (8-8):

1) Trea Turner (R) SS

2) Kyle Schwarber (L) DH

3) Bryce Harper (L) 1B

4) Adolis García (R) RF

5) Brandon Marsh (L) LF

6) J.T. Realmuto (R) C

7) Bryson Stott (L) 2B

8) Edmundo Sosa (R) 3B

9) Justin Crawford (L) CF

Starting Pitcher: Aaron Nola (1-1, 3.63 ERA)

Philadelphia, PA — In the second game of the three game series, the Chicago Cubs cruised by the Phillies, 10-4. The Cubs capitalized on free passes and timely hitting in the win.

LHP Riley Martin only pitched one scoreless inning in a bullpen game, before turning the ball over to RHP reliever Colin Rea.

The Phillies got to Rea quickly, but he would settle in — pitching 6 innings and giving up 3 earned runs, on his way to earning his first win of the season.

In the bottom of the second, Brandon Marsh knocked a one-out single into left-center field. After an infield single from J.T. Realmuto, Edmundo Sosa launched a three-run homer to dead center field to put the Phillies ahead 3-0.

The Cubs would respond in the following frame.

After a lead-off double from Pete Crow-Armstrong in the top of the third, Dansby Swanson would move him over to third with a groundout. One batter later, Nico Hoerner would plate PCA with an RBI-single, making it 3-1, Philadelphia.

The Cubs would keep the line moving — after an infield single from Alex Bregman, Ian Happ would launch an RBI double, making it 3-2 Philadelphia.

The Cubs would tie the game in the top of the fifth: Swanson drew a lead-off walk, Michael Busch drew a walk two batters later, and Bregman would bring in Swanson with an RBI-single, tying the game at 3 apiece.

LHP Riley Martin – Photo Courtesy of Bleed Cubbie Blue

The Cubs broke the game open in the top of the sixth.

Carson Kelly drew a free pass, and PCA would get hit by a pitch to put two men on with one away.

Swanson would load the bases with a fielder’s choice and everyone was safe on an error committed by secondbaseman Bryson Stott. Hoerner would take avantage with a two-run single, putting the Cubs up 5-3.

After re-loading the bases on a walk earned by Michael Busch, Bregman plated two more runs with a single to right-center field, making it 7-3, Chicago.

The Phillies offense wouldn’t go away quietly — Sosa hit a lead-off double in the bottom of the eighth and a fly ball to the outfield would see him tag up to third. Trea Turner would bring him home with an RBI single, making it 7-4, Chicago.

The Cubs would pile on in the top of the ninth.

After Seiya Suzuki hit a lead-off single and Miguel Amaya drew a walk to put two on with no one out. Carson Kelly would club his first homer of the year to put the Cubs up 10-4.

The Good: Chicago’s offense — as a team, they had 15 hits and drew 6 walks, highlighting their patient approach at the plate. Carson Kelly hit his first homer of the season driving in 3, while Bregman had 3 hits and drove in 3 as well.

The Bad/The Ugly: The Phillie’s defense — the fielding error on Stott, one mistake — allowed 4 runs to score in the top of the sixth, ultimately deciding the game.

-Matt Koper

Founder of Koper’s Korner