The Philadelphia Phillies shocked baseball fans everywhere with their hot start to the 2018 MLB season. Despite having almost no expectations entering the season, the team looked like they were ready to contend. Unfortunately, the Phillies have cooled off significantly since the hot start. They are now sitting in third place in the NL East division after briefly holding the top spot. After only winning three of their previous 10 games, the Philadelphia Phillies desperately needed a win when they faced the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, June 6.
Philadelphia is favored to win almost every time they have Aaron Nola on the mound, but he did not have his typically stuff on Wednesday night. Nola’s struggles began in the second inning when he surrendered a solo home run to Anthony Rizzo. While Nola had no problem tailing strikeouts, he uncharacteristically struggled with his control throughout the game. The walks came back to haunt him in the fourth inning when Chicago scored two more runs.
The Phillies had trouble figuring out Chicago starter Jose Quintana the entire game, but their bats finally came alive in the sixth inning. Quintana put two runners on base before getting removed with two outs in the inning. Steve Cishek entered the game to get the Cubs out of the jam, but the Chicago reliever gave up a three-run home run to Aaron Altherr on his first pitch. The Altherr home run got Aaron Nola off the hook by tying the game.
The game remained tied until the Phillies came up to bat in the ninth inning. Aaron Altherr started the inning with a single to center field. Dylan Cozens followed up the base hit with the first home run of his major league career. Philadelphia put two more runners on base later in the inning, but they failed to score another run.
After he pitched a perfect eighth inning, the Phillies asked Seranthony Dominguez to get the final three outs in the game. Dominguez ran into trouble for the first time this season, and he was yanked from the game without recording an out in the ninth. Adam Morgan immediately walked Ian Happ to load the bases after entering the game. After recording the first out, Morgan gave up a walk-off grand slam to Jason Heyward.
Philadelphia can avenge the tough loss on Thursday afternoon when they host Chicago for the last time. Nick Pivetta will start for the Phillies against Tyler Chatwood.
