The Chicago Cubs can blame a lousy bullpen for another loss. Chicago entered the eighth inning tied 2-2 on Wednesday, but the Phillies scored one in the eighth and six in the ninth to escape with a 9-2 win over Chicago. The Cubs managed only three hits on the night and scored both of their runs on one swng, a two-run homer from Alfonso Soriano in the fourth inning. The loss drops Chicago to 15-22, while Philadelphia improves to 19-19.
Pinch hitter Ty Wigginton broke the game open in the ninth with a two-run single to right field. Four batters later, pinch hitter Hector Luna smashed a grand slam to turn a close game into a blowout in the matter of minutes.
Chicago wasted another nice effort from starter Matt Garza, who allowed two runs and eight hits over 6.2 innings on Wednesday.
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