Cubs fall to Phillies 4-3 on June 10 after a walk-off loss. Pete Crow-Armstrong's clutch 11th-inning double wasn't enough to stop Philadelphia's rally.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game of inches and gut-punches. After a tense, low-scoring affair, Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered what felt like the decisive blow—an RBI double in the top of the 11th. But the celebration was short-lived, as the Philadelphia Phillies roared back in the bottom of the frame to walk off with a 4-3 victory, handing the Cubs a stinging loss to open the series.
Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the team with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs this season, showcasing his development as a power hitter while maintaining his elite defensive skills.
The matchup at Citizens Bank Park lived up to its billing as a tight contest. Cubs starter Colin Rea battled hard against the Phillies' Mick Abel, with both pitchers keeping runs at a premium. The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 for much of the night, thanks in part to slick defense like Patrick Wisdom's inning-ending 5-3 double play. Former Cub Kyle Schwarber came around to score the Phillies' first run, a familiar sight for Chicago fans. The real fireworks, however, were saved for extras, where the Cubs' momentary lead was erased for a tough walk-off loss.
Even in a loss, the biggest story for the Cubs continues to be the emergence of Pete Crow-Armstrong as a legitimate offensive force. His clutch double in the 11th was just the latest example of his incredible season. Now leading the club with 17 homers and 55 RBIs, PCA is proving he's far more than just a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. His power development is a game-changer for this lineup and a massive silver lining on a tough night.
The pitching staff did its part to keep the Cubs in the game for ten and a half innings. Lefty Matthew Boyd, who boasts a team-best 2.89 ERA, was instrumental in escaping a jam with a crucial inning-ending double play. The staff as a whole has been a pillar of consistency, holding opponents to a .245 batting average and maintaining a solid 3.64 team ERA. While the final inning went Philly's way, the overall performance from the arms was a major reason the game was competitive.
Let's take a deep breath. Yes, this loss stings, especially coming off a series loss to the Tigers where rookie Cade Horton took his first career L. But the sky isn't falling. The Cubs are still in first place in the NL Central, a testament to their balanced attack. The team is averaging 5.5 runs per game, thanks to consistent bats like Nico Hoerner and his team-leading .281 average, and a potent blend of power (90 HR) and speed (82 SB). This team knows how to score, and that's why they remain the team to beat in the division.
This was a tough one to swallow, no doubt. Losing in extras always is. But the Cubs have shown resilience all season. The key now is to flush this loss, build on the positives like PCA's hot bat and the steady pitching, and come out ready to even the series tomorrow. Facing a tough Phillies team on the road is a true test, and how the Cubs respond will tell us a lot about their championship mettle.
