Cubs sweep doubleheader from Phillies

Maddon altered his rotation shortly before Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies choosing to push original starter (Dan Haren)to Sunday’s matinee due to the threat of rain on Saturday night.

Coghlan’s four hits and three extra-base hits tied a career-high. Then Grimm teed up a pitch for Cesar Hernandez to drive into the gap, and with Sweeney flying around from first it went for three more runs and a 5-1 Phillies lead. That still doesn’t mean the Cubs have a bullpen built for the playoffs or the brute force to make it a six- or seven-inning game the way the Kansas City Royals did previous year.

After winning Saturday’s game by a score of 7-5 the Phillies came out and won Sunday’s game by a score of 7-4 as first baseman Ryan Howard led the offense with a homerun and three RBI’s. It was the 13th RBI in 17 games in Philadelphia for Castro, who is 9 for 16 in his last five games overall.

I wouldn’t expect him to go more than two innings in this game, after which we might see Clayton Richard and/or Tsuyoshi Wada.

The Phillies swept the Cubs in their lone series earlier this season (July 24-26) in Chicago, while recording at least five runs and 11 hits in each of their three wins.

“Nothing fazes me”, Arrieta said. Right hander Dalier Hinojosa picked up his first win and closer Kenny Giles shut the door in the ninth for his 13 save of the season. They also don’t have anybody now ready to dethrone Howard at first.

Cubs: C Kyle Schwarber, who has been battling an oblique/rib injury, didn’t play.

“It’s been a while since I drove a ball like that”, he said. “We all know he’s got that kind of power and the ability to become a very good hitter”.

Anyway, Eickhoff was semi-brilliant Saturday night in a game of not-so-much pitching brilliance.

Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin thinks Altherr’s upside is being an every-day player, but like numerous others on the roster, he’s still auditioning and there’s 18 more games left this season.

“The guys that have been reliable all year just didn’t do it tonight”, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. It was Howard’s first homer since August. 25 and 22nd this season. M.Montero walked, Coghlan to third, Rizzo to second. The Phillies added two insurance runs in the eighth – Blanco scored one of them – on a Freddy Galvis double. The two collided at first, with Rizzo seemingly getting the better end of things. “Felt like the ball was coming out well, and I was able to spot my fastball when I needed to”.

Howard pulled the Phillies even in the bottom of the first on a sac fly before Cameron Rupp singled to put Philadelphia ahead 2-1.

Phillies: Mackanin said 3B Maikel Franco (fractured left wrist) will take live batting practice “in a few days”. Whatever team he’s on next September 12, hopefully not the Phillies, will get to find out.