Trea Turner hits two home runs as Phillies hold off Cubs for 6-4 victory

Phillies Hold on to Beat Struggling CubsPhillies Hold on to Beat Struggling Cubs In a thrilling Tuesday night matchup at Wrigley Field, the Philadelphia Phillies held off a late rally by the Chicago Cubs to secure a 6-4 victory. Turner’s Home Runs Fuel Phillies’ Lead Trea Turner led the charge for the Phillies, launching two long home runs to put his team in a commanding position. His first homer in the third inning gave them a 2-0 lead, while his towering drive in the fifth extended their advantage to 5-1. Cubs Make Late Push The Cubs refused to go down without a fight. In the ninth inning, José Ruiz walked Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger before Seiya Suzuki launched a home run. Ian Happ and Christopher Morel struck out, but Dansby Swanson singled to right, bringing the tying run to the plate. However, Jeff Hoffman struck out Swanson for his seventh save, securing the win for the Phillies. Mercado Earns First Career Win Michael Mercado, making his first major league start, pitched a solid five innings, allowing only one run and earning his first career victory. He struck out four batters and walked two. The Phillies bullpen, led by Gregory Soto, Orion Kerkering, and Yunior Marte, combined for three perfect innings before Ruiz ran into trouble in the ninth. Bellinger Drives in Cubs’ First Run Cody Bellinger recorded an RBI double in the third inning, after Nick Castellanos made an impressive backhand catch in right field, preventing an extra-base hit for the Cubs. Injuries Impact Phillies The Phillies continue to play without injured sluggers Bryce Harper (left hamstring strain) and Kyle Schwarber (left groin strain). Cubs’ Merryweather Nears Return Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Julian Merryweather threw 25 pitches during live batting practice and is expected to enter rehab soon after another session on Saturday. Next Matchup The Phillies will send Zack Wheeler to the mound on Wednesday, while the Cubs will counter with Shota Imanaga.

CHICAGO — Trea Turner hit two long home runs and the Major League-leading Philadelphia Phillies held on to beat the struggling Chicago Cubs 6-4 on Tuesday night.

The Phillies rolled to a 6-1 lead before the Cubs made things interesting in the ninth inning. José Ruiz came in and singled to Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger before Seiya Suzuki homered. Jeff Hoffman then struck out Ian Happ and Christopher Morel before lined out Dansby Swanson to right for his seventh save.

Michael Mercado (1-0) threw two hits over five innings to earn his first career win in his first major league start. And Hoffman closed it out for a Phillies team without injured sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.

The Cubs have lost seven of nine games.

Garrett Stubbs gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead with a two-run double in the second inning, after which Turner took over.

He hit the first pitch of the third into about the 10th row of the left-center bleachers and made it 5-1 with a towering two-run drive in the fifth against Hayden Wesneski, giving him 15 multihomer games. The two-time All-Star added an RBI single in the seventh.

Mercado allowed one run in his second career appearance. The 25-year-old right-handed pitcher struck out four and walked two.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Michael Mercado looks out of the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Charles Rex Arbogast

Gregory Soto, Orion Kerkering and Yunior Marte all pitched perfect innings before Ruiz ran into trouble.

Wesneski threw five innings, allowing five runs and five hits. The right-handed pitcher struck out seven and walked three in his fifth start of the season and 22nd appearance.

Bellinger hit an RBI double in the third inning after right fielder Nick Castellanos made a great backhand catch while hitting the ivy, preventing him from getting an extra-base hit in the first inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Michael Mercado looks out of the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Charles Rex Arbogast

Phillies: The Phillies played their fourth straight game without Harper (left hamstring strain) and Schwarber (left groin strain). They were placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering injuries in Thursday night’s 7-4 loss to Miami.

Cubs: RHP Julian Merryweather (rib stress fracture) threw 25 pitches during live batting practice at Wrigley Field. He likely will throw one more session Saturday before entering rehab, manager Craig Counsell said. Merryweather, a setup man, made four appearances before going on the injured list in early April.

NEXT ONE

The Phillies send RHP Zack Wheeler (9-4, 2.73 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday, and the Cubs go with LHP Shota Imanaga (7-2, 3.07 ERA). Wheeler bounced back with solid starts against Arizona and Miami after being tagged for a season-high eight runs in a loss to Baltimore. Imanaga shook off his worst start and threw six solid innings in Chicago’s win at San Francisco on Thursday.