The Sports Xchange
May 3, 2017
CHICAGO -- Willson Contreras' two-out pinch-double keyed a four-run sixth inning as the Chicago Cubs claimed a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.
Contreras laced a 1-1 pitch from left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez into the left field corner to drive home Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward with the tying and go-ahead runs.
The victory was the second straight for Chicago (15-12) and gave right-hander Jake Arrieta (4-1) his second victory in three starts.
The Phillies (12-14) dropped their second straight.
Closer Wade Davis, the fourth Cubs pitcher of the night, faced four batters in a scoreless ninth for his seventh save.
Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickhoff (0-3) took the loss after sailing through five innings before getting into trouble.
Eickhoff departed with two outs in the sixth after he put two runners on base and Heyward singled home Anthony Rizzo to trim the Cubs' deficit to 3-2.
Rodriguez entered and his passed ball advanced Zobrist to third and Heyward to second to set up Contreras for his two-run double and a 4-3 Cubs lead.
Rodriguez was promptly pulled for right-hander Edubray Ramos, who gave up a run-scoring single as Matt Szczur -- pinch-hitting for Arrieta -- drove in Contreras for a 5-3 lead.
The Phillies got one run back with two outs in the eighth when Maikel Franco, who went 3-for-4, singled home Aaron Altheer off Cubs reliever Hector Rondon to make it 5-4.
Arrieta allowed three earned runs, six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in his six-inning outing.
Eickhoff gave up four runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts as his winless streak reached five for the Phillies (12-14).
The Phillies grabbed a quick lead with their 27th and 28th first-inning runs of the season to tie idle Milwaukee for the major league lead.
Daniel Nava walked, stole second and scored on Franco's single to shallow right. Franco came home on Odubel Herrera's two-out base hit to right to make it 2-0.
The Cubs got one run back in the second as Heyward walked, reached second on Miguel Montero's base hit and scored on Arrieta's grounder to the Eickhoff.
The Phillies had Franco at third following a Brock Stassi double with one out in the fourth and Franco scored for a 3-1 led on Freddy Galvis' sacrifice fly to center.
NOTES: Phillies RHP Aaron Nola will likely miss Friday's start at home after a scheduled precautionary MRI on Thursday. He experienced some back discomfort this week. ... Philles OF Howie Kendrick, on the disabled list since April 16 with a right abdominal strain, is moving closer to a return. He has been hitting off a tee and doing some soft throwing, according to manager Pete Mackanin. ... Philadelphia sends out RHP Zach Eflin (0-0, 1.89 ERA) for his fourth start of the season on Thursday. He'll face Chicago RHP John Lackey (2-3, 5.10 ERA). ... The four hits on Tuesday by Cubs 2B Javier Baez were the most out of the Cubs' No. 9 position since RHP Don Cardwell had four on June 30, 1960. ... Flags atop the Cubs' 2016 World Series trophy was reportedly damaged while passed around during a charity concert in Boston last week hosted by club president Theo Epstein. The damage was quickly fixed, according to reports. ... RHP Koji Uehara pitched in his 400th career game with his one inning of relief.