Francoeur's 10th-Inning HR Gives Phillies 5-3 Win Over Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the Philadelphia Phillies, who had rallied in the ninth, beat the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Friday.
Francoeur drove his game-winner deep into the bleachers in left field off Cubs reliever Rafael Soriano, who came in for James Russell (0-2), who gave up a leadoff single to Cesar Hernandez in the 10th.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched the 10th for Philadelphia and earned his 17th save in as many opportunities after Ken Giles (5-2) worked the ninth inning.
The Phillies, who won for the sixth time in seven games since the All-Star break, tied the game in the ninth when Cody Asche delivered his second RBI double of the game off closer Jason Motte.
Motte, who blew his first save in seven chances, stranded the go-ahead run at second by getting pinch-hitters Odubel Herrera and Carlos Ruiz to fly out.
Chris Coghlan's two-run homer in the fourth inning off Phillies starter Jerome Williams erased a one-run deficit and gave the Cubs a 3-2 lead that stood until the ninth when Asche tied the game with his double.
Williams, making his first start since coming off the disabled list July 21, gave up three earned runs over six innings, scattering six hits, including the homers to Kris Bryant and Coghlan. Williams struck out four while walking one.
The Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when they strung together three hits off starter Jon Lester, capped by Asche's two-out, two-run double.
Lester wasn't dominant, giving up seven hits and two earned runs. But coming off an outing last week against Atlanta when he allowed only two hits over 7 1-3 innings, Lester walked only one and struck out two in seven innings.
Bryant gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the third inning with a solo home run. The star rookie third baseman had been struggling and was 4 for 28 since the All-Star break — before hitting his 13th homer of the season.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: Williams made his first start on Friday after returning from the 15-day DL (hamstring strain) on July 21.
UP NEXT
Phillies: LHP Cole Hamels (5-7) will try to bounce back from consecutive tough outings and his first win since May 23 against Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (11-5) who is 5-1 and has a 1.57 ERA.
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