The Chicago Cubs rallied for a 5-2 win over the Phillies on Wednesday night.
Third baseman Donnie Murphy broke a 2-2 tie with a three-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to propel the Cubs to the win.
Justin De Fratus gave up the home run on a 3-1 pitch after Luis Garcia put two runners on base with walks. Garcia actually walked three in the inning, but catcher Erik Kratz picked one of them off.
The Phillies tied the game at 2-2 on a pinch-hit single by Chase Utley in the seventh inning. According to sources, Utley agreed on a contract extension earlier in the day. He was set to become a free agent after the season (see story).
The Phillies are 3-14 since the all-star break.
Starting pitching report
Cole Hamels pitched seven walk-free innings and allowed two runs. He gave up six hits and struck out three.
Cubs lefty Travis Wood held the Phils to six hits and two runs over 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out seven.
Bullpen report
Garcia walked three batters in the ninth.
Matt Guerrier allowed Utley’s game-tying pinch hit in the seventh inning.
Pedro Strop pitched a scoreless eighth for the Cubs and got the win. Kevin Gregg had the save.
At the plate
Domonic Brown smacked his team-high 25th homer in the second inning.
The Phils were 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
Murphy, recently called up from the minors, had two homers. He also homered against the Phils on Tuesday night.
In the field
Cubs rightfielder Cole Gillespie gunned down Utley at the plate for the second out in the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Dioner Navarro made the tag to keep the game tied, 2-2, but he paid a price. He suffered a right ankle injury in a collision with Utley and was taken from the field on a motorized cart. X-rays were negative and Navarro was being treated for a contusion.
Earlier in the inning, Cubs leftfielder Thomas Neal suffered a dislocated right shoulder while throwing a ball.
Health check
Roy Halladay is heading to Florida to ramp up his rehab as he aims for a return to the Phillies’ rotation (see story).
Up next
The series concludes Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. Jeff Samardzija (6-10, 3.78) and Ethan Martin (0-1, 12.46) are the pitchers.