The Chicago Cubs continued their hot streak Thursday afternoon, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 in extra innings to extend their winning streak to nine games.
Dansby Swanson delivered the decisive blow with a walk-off single in the 10th inning, capping off a dramatic comeback victory at Wrigley Field. The win completed a four-game sweep of Philadelphia and marked Chicago’s longest winning streak since an 11-game run in 2016.
Meanwhile, the Phillies’ struggles continued as they dropped their ninth consecutive game, leaving them with the worst record in the National League at 8-17.
The extra-inning drama began when Cubs pitcher Javier Assad (2-1) retired Philadelphia in order during the top of the 10th. In the bottom half, Phillies reliever Tanner Banks (0-2) intentionally walked Seiya Suzuki before allowing Carson Kelly’s single to load the bases.
Following Michael Busch’s strikeout, Swanson stepped up and drove a single to right field to end the contest.
Chicago’s offense exploded for 18 hits in the victory, led by Busch’s four RBIs and home run performance. Both Suzuki and Kelly contributed three hits each, with Suzuki also going deep.
The game remained tied 6-6 entering the eighth inning when Suzuki broke the deadlock with his third home run in three games, connecting on a fastball from Philadelphia reliever Brad Keller.
Philadelphia responded in the ninth inning as pinch hitter Adolis Garcia launched his third homer of the season off Chicago’s Caleb Thielbar, evening the score at 7-7 and forcing extra innings.
Cubs starter Edward Cabrera pitched seven innings, surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out five batters and issuing no walks. For Philadelphia, Cristopher Sanchez lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on 12 hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
Brandon Marsh provided offensive highlights for the Phillies despite the loss, going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs.
Philadelphia struck first in the second inning when Marsh connected for his third homer of the season. Chicago answered immediately in the bottom half as Kelly and Busch reached base before Swanson’s sacrifice fly tied the game.
The Cubs seized control in the third inning after singles by Suzuki and Kelly set up Busch’s three-run blast, establishing a 4-1 advantage.
The Phillies cut into the deficit in the fourth when Bryce Harper’s single preceded Marsh’s RBI hit, making it 4-2. Chicago restored its three-run cushion in the bottom of the fourth as Ian Happ launched his seventh home run of the year.
After Happ singled with one out in the sixth, Sanchez was lifted for Chase Shugart. Suzuki followed with a single and Kelly was hit by a pitch before Busch’s RBI groundout extended the lead to 6-2.
Philadelphia mounted a comeback in the seventh inning, starting with Marsh’s second homer of the game. Bryson Stott singled and Alec Bohm doubled before Alex Bregman’s throwing error allowed Stott to score. Garrett Stubbs then delivered a sacrifice fly to pull the Phillies within one run.
The Phillies completed their comeback in the eighth when reliever Hoby Milner walked two batters in 2/3 of an inning. Jacob Webb entered with runners on first and second but allowed Edmundo Sosa’s game-tying single.
