Cubs Break Losing Streak

Cubs break losing streak, 8-3. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good and the Chicago Cubs were a combination of both in ending their 11 game losing streak. Zack Wheeler appeared unhappy when Manager Hook, Joe Girardi yanked him after 5 2/3 innings after Wheeler was the victim of a fielding issue and the Cubs getting luck in converting several softly hit balls found real estate.

“Well, he doesn’t ever want to come out, but that’s our job, to manage him and make sure he stays healthy and make sure that he’s a player for us all year and next year and the year beyond,” Girardi said. “You’ve got to think about those things. We’ve got to get him though this season. He’s on pace for over 220 innings right now.

“In the last inning, his velocity was down a little bit and I just get concerned as much as we’ve worked him. We’ve still got a long way to go. I don’t ever want to take him out, but I also have to manage his workload.”
Wheeler was charged with 3 of the 7 runs he allowed off 8 hits a walk with 6 k’s.

Chicago starter, Alec Mills also went 5 2/3 with 5 hits, 3 runs, and 5 strikeouts with one walk. Didi Gregorius booted a routine grounder that should have been the second out in the first inning but, as a result, the Cubs Jason Heyward, Nico Hoemer, and Rafael Ortega each picked up RBI singles.

An Anthony Rizzo triple padded the lead with Wilson Contrares making it 5-0 after two innings. It stayed that way until the 6th when JT Realmuto drew a walk, two outs later Bryce Harper stayed hot with a run-scoring double and Andrew McCutchen smoked a two-run homer and the Phils were back in it, down by two at 5-3.

Unfortunately for Phillies fans, that was as close as they could get it with Chicago realizing RBIs from Joc Pederson, and a pair off a Patrick Wisdom double. Philadelphia is now at 4 1/2 games behind the New York Mets with four games to go before the All-Star break. Off note- All eight Cubs runs came with two outs. Cubs break losing streak or did the Phillies break it for them?

“Those [two-out runs] are killers,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Those can be demoralizing when those types of things happen because you’re so close to getting out of every inning and we were tonight and we just weren’t able to do it and that was the difference in the game.”

Kevin Neibauer

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.

Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.

A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.