Albert Almora Jr. Hits First Career Grand Slam in Win over Phillies

Fan favorite OF Albert Almora Jr. delivered the game-winning blow in the Northsiders’ 8-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday evening in Chicago. Cubs SP Cole Hamels had a rough outing against the front-running Phillies, allowing three runs on nine hits in just 4.0 IP with two BBs and six SO. INF Anthony Rizzo tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning on a monstrous blast off the Budweiser sign in right field.

After RP Tyler Chatwood took over for Hamels, working a 1-2-3 5th inning, the Cubs loaded the bags in the bottom of the inning with rookie Philly SP Cole Irvin still on the mound. Almora came up to bat, drilling the first pitch delivered by Irvin to center field for his first career grand slam, giving the Cubs a 7-3 lead over the visitors.

INF Javier Báez hit a solo shot to center field in the bottom of the 7th to make the score 8-3, and Philly OF Andrew McCutchen, who always seems to have good games against the Cubs, hit another solo homer off Chatwood in the top of the 8th to give the Phillies their fourth run. RP Steve Cishek worked a scoreless 9th inning to close out the Cubs’ 29th victory of the season.

The Cubs will host the Phillies in the series finale this afternoon at 2:20 PM ET. Matchup: Aaron Nola (4-0, 4.47 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (3-2, 2.09 ERA). Support the site by buying your tickets from SeatGeek!

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