Another No-Show from Phillies’ Big Bats as Cubs Slam 4 Home Runs
Jun 10, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second base Bryson Stott (5) reacts after striking out to end the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Phillies came into tonight’s matchup with the Chicago Cubs looking to turn things around and build on the momentum of last night’s walk-off win. Rob Thomson sent out Mick Abel, who had pitched well in his previous starts and hadn’t walked anyone so far this season. He was pitching well to start, but tonight it was the home run ball that was his undoing.
Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, and Michael Busch all struck him for solo home runs. All three were hammered, but the only one that was not a good pitch was the pitch to Happ; it was a lazy slider at the top of the zone, but didn’t break, essentially was a BP fastball to the top of the zone.
While he didn’t pitch terribly, his breaking ball didn’t have the same bite as it did in his previous starts. He managed to make Kyle Tucker look like he was up there swinging a sword for one of his 3 strikeouts.
The Phils fell to the Cubs in game two of the three-game series, 8-4, as more of the same issues appeared.
Even though the Phillies put up four runs today, it was hardly a breakout performance for the stars that need to start hitting the ball once again. Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, and Trea Turner were a combined 2 for 12 in the game. The only notable offense came on a two-run homer from Max Kepler.
Alec Bohm had a very good game, including a 2-RBI single to take the lead.
Tonight, the TV broadcast crew was in section 201, and right above them, the Phanatic and a few members of the promotions team came out with a giant Banner that read “Vote for Philly’s All-Stars” with what seemed like 70 dots, and then said “Now.” That feels like what we are doing right now. We’re waiting for the all-stars in this lineup to produce. The most frustrating player to watch right now is Schwarber.
Balls that earlier in the season would have been hit for home runs are now turning into routine pop-ups, including the last out of the game. At some point, we have to start to look at what the cause is for the Phillies’ stars to go so cold, and not really look to have an answer. In Schwarber’s case, it is not a lack of trying; he was in the batting cage this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. working on his swing. It’s difficult to see what is causing him to miss pitches which are right down the middle, especially, but it is very frustrating to watch. I’m sure it is frustrating for him as well.
Schwarber has one home run in June. The fact that Bryce Harper is out of the lineup allows for teams to hyperfocus on Schwarber, and he hasn’t responded. The Phils are 2-8 without Harper in the lineup, and that is consequently when Schwarber’s power tapered off.
The bullpen continued to be porous at best. Tanner Banks looked solid, but then Taijuan Walker gave up a second home run to Happ. Joe Ross gave up three earned runs, which started with Reese McGuire hitting an RBI to make the game 6-4, and the game was officially out of reach. Carlos Hernandez came in to stop the bleeding. He gave up a single to score one of his inherited runners.
I hate to be hyperbolic, but tomorrow’s game is a huge test for the Phils. They need this win to prove to the clubhouse that they can. Lackluster is the only way that you can describe most aspects of the Phillies this month. I want to stop short of saying that tomorrow is a must-win, but it’s approaching that. A strong outing from Jesus Luzardo is going to be huge, and getting to Cubs starter Ben Brown early is going to be huge to take the rubber match of the series.
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Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
