Cubs 5, Phillies 2
PHILADELPHIA -- Donnie Murphy hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning Wednesday night, and the Chicago Cubs ended a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
It was the second homer of the game and the third in two nights for Murphy, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa last weekend. The ninth-inning blast came off Justin De Fratus, the third Phillies pitcher of the night.
Pedro Strop (2-1) pitched a scoreless inning in relief for the victory. Kevin Gregg worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 23rd save in 27 opportunities.
With the score tied at 2-2 entering the ninth, Phillies reliever Luis Garcia (0-1) issued a leadoff walk to Welington Castillo. Castillo stole second as David DeJesus struck out, and then Cody Ransom walked.
Phillies catcher Erik Kratz picked Ransom off first, but Cole Gillespie also walked.
De Fratus then replaced Garcia, and Murphy hit a 3-1 fastball into the left field seats.
The Phillies lost for the 14th time in 16 games.
Chase Utley, employed as a pinch hitter, singled home the tying run in the bottom of the seventh for the Phillies.
Later in the inning, Utley attempted to score by running over catcher Dioner Navarro at the plate after a single by Kevin Frandsen. Navarro, who took a throw from Gillespie in right field, held onto the ball but injured his right ankle in the collision. He was carted off and taken to the hospital for X-rays, which were negative. The injury was described as a contusion.
Earlier in the inning, Chicago left fielder Thomas Neal dislocated his right shoulder and left the game.
Phillies starter Cole Hamels, amid the worst year of his career, earned his second straight no-decision despite allowing just two runs and six hits over seven innings. He struck out three and didn't walk a batter.
Hamels has not won since beating Washington on July 9.
Chicago starter Travis Wood pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs and six hits. He struck out seven and walked one.
Domonic Brown hit his 25th homer, a solo shot, on Wood's first pitch of the second. Murphy answered with a solo homer of his own leading off the third, a lazy fly ball that settled just over the right field fence and just inside the foul pole.
Junior Lake gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead with an RBI single in the fifth.
NOTES: Phillies RHP Roy Halladay, recovering from shoulder surgery, said before the game that his rehab is continuing smoothly, and that he hopes to pitch again in the majors "as soon as possible." Halladay threw a 75-ptich simulated game Monday, and had a 30-pitch bullpen session Wednesday. The plan is for him to throw a simulated game, probably Saturday, in Florida. He said there will then be "a group decision" as to how he proceeds from there. ... CSNPhilly.com and MLB.com reported that the Phillies agreed to a contract extension with Utley. ... Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said 1B Ryan Howard, recovering from knee surgery, continues to rehab in Florida, but there is no timetable as yet for Howard's return.
