Sports

Phillies lose 8th straight despite making adjustments against Cubs

By Lochlahn March, The Philadelphia Inquirer The Tribune Content Agency

Updated April 22, 2026 11:24 PM

The Philadelphia Phillies' Edmundo Sosa hits an RBI double in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Chicago. (Griffin Quinn/Getty Images/TNS) Griffin Quinn TNS

CHICAGO - With Felix Reyes standing on second base, Edmundo Sosa ripped a double to left field.

Sosa's hit in the second inning Wednesday, which scored Reyes easily, ended the Phillies' slump of 0 for 26 over the last six games with runners in scoring position. It seemed like things were on the upswing.

But unfortunately for the Phillies, their two runs in the second inning proved to be the extent of their offense in the game. Their losing streak has now reached eight following Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Searching for a solution for Taijuan Walker's first-inning struggles, the Phillies tried using Kyle Backhus as an opener. The lefty reliever allowed consecutive singles to lead off the game, and the Cubs scored an early run on an RBI force out.

When Walker came out for the second, he was on the verge of a clean inning before Justin Crawford dropped a fly ball in center field. Crawford made a long run towards the ball, which glanced off his glove for his first error in the majors. Miguel Amaya wound up on second base, and was in scoring position when Walker gave up a double to the next batter.

The Cubs continued to add on against Walker, who gave up eight total hits - including two homers - over four innings. When Alan Rangel took over in the sixth, the Phillies were facing a four-run deficit. Rangel pitched three innings, and the Cubs tacked on another run in the eighth on a double and a single.

After the second-inning outburst, the offense continued to be lifeless. The Phillies burned both their automated ball-strike challenges - one by Rafael Marchán behind the plate and the other from Bryce Harper - by the third inning.

One bright spot was Alec Bohm, who collected two hits. He scored a run in the second after singling, advancing to third on Sosa's double, and coming home on an RBI groundout from Crawford.

The Phillies lineup collectively struck out 11 times. Rob Thomson moved Kyle Schwarber back to the leadoff spot in an attempt to spark something, and he went 0 for 4.

This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 11:05 PM.