Francoeur’s 10th-Inning HR Gives Phillies 5-3 Win Over Cubs

Especially not after losing to the lowly Philadelphia Phillies, 5-3, in 10 innings on Friday afternoon after blowing a ninth-inning lead. One of the weakest offenses in the majors created runs late and Jeff Francoeur, again, played the hero. I think this is too much juice to lay for the Cubs to be honest…

“I don’t know what it is, but the guys are playing well”, Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said.

Jeff Francoeur was feeling good to begin with, but a little inside knowledge of Chicago Cubs reliever Rafael Soriano didn’t hurt matters.

Ken Giles got the win to improve to 5-2. Closer Jonathan Papelbon clinched the sensation within the 10that gives the best results for your skin problems.

“Every loss stings”, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Francouer has been a major factor in three of those wins: This go-ahead home run was his third pivotal home run in eight days. I thought the Phillies really swung the bat well today and they had good at-bats all game. Of course, the Phillies would also like to add a pitcher in the deal, but the Cubs may be hesitant to include either Pierce Johnson or Duane Underwood and they certainly won’t part with Carl Edwards Jr. Chris Coghlan’s responding two-run homer half way into the matchup appeared to give the Cubs that finishing move to topple the leagues worst team. The two-bagger came after Lester’s 0-2 cutter was questionably called a ball; the 31-year-old lefthander thought he had Asche struck out.

Lester, who earned a no-decision after allowing just two runs on seven hits to go along with six strikeouts, settled in nicely after Coghlan’s homer, retiring six of the the final seven batters he faced before handing over the lead to the Cubs bullpen for the final two innings. At one point, the Cubs were actually working behind 2-1 in the game after Lester gave up 2 in the 4th inning, but that’s all he gave up off of a Cody Asche double.

Four rookies and four veterans will have to find a way to drive in some more runs after going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Friday while stranding 10.

Earlier this season, Lester took a no-hit bid into the seventh against St. Louis before giving up a one-out hit.

Arrieta set a career high for wins Sunday, allowing three hits and striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings of a 4-1 victory at Atlanta. Being that Motte relies heavily on his velocity for his success, he becomes increasingly hittable when his velocity dips a bit, even by a couple miles per hour.

The victory was the second straight for Philadelphia (35-63) and sixth in seven games since the All-Star break. They have won just one road series in their last 18 dating back to last season….