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 The Phillies right fielder slammed a two-run homer in the 10th
inning in a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs to open a three-game
series on Friday.
"When you feel relaxed you give yourself an opportunity to succeed,"
said Francoeur, who had a walk-off home run against Miami last
Sunday. "Last year and the year before, I was always in my own head
trying to do too much."
The victory was the second straight for Philadelphia (35-63) and
sixth in seven games since the All-Star break. The Cubs (51-44) have
now lost two of their last three.
"It's a lot of fun to win and when a lot of guys contribute it makes
it even more fun," said Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin.
"Everyone's been getting opportunities to play and that's part of my
job here is to make sure is to give everyone opportunities."
Francoeur's homer, his ninth of the year, came off Cubs right-handed
reliever Rafael Soriano and also scored second baseman Cesar
Hernandez.
Right hander Ken Giles (5-2) worked the ninth inning for the win.
Right-handed reliever Jonathan Papelbon pitched the 10th for his
17th save.
Cubs left-hander James Russell (0-2) worked 1/3 of the 10th inning
and suffered the loss.
"Every loss stings," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "We had
opportunities to score more runs and we didn't do it tonight. ... I
thought the Phillies really swung the bat well today and they had
good at-bats all game. And they pitched well, especially out of the
bullpen."
Earlier, Cubs left fielder Chris Coghlan clubbed a career-high 10th
home run while left-hander Jon Lester delivered another quality
start.
But Lester, who flirted with a no-hitter in his last start in
Atlanta, had no decision in a seven-inning effort as the Phillies
forced a 3-3 tie in the ninth off right-handed reliever Jason Motte.
Shortstop Freddy Galvis tripled to right with one out and scored on
a ground rule double to center by left fielder Cody Asche. Motte
survived further damage with the final two outs came on fly balls to
center.
Coghlan's two-run homer in the fourth erased an earlier Phillies
lead and gave the Cubs a 3-2 edge. The Chicago left fielder went
2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs.
Third baseman Kris Bryant gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with two out in
the third with his 13th home run of the season.
The Cubs prevented one run from scoring in the top of the fourth on
Galvis' single to left. Coghlan fired to catcher David Ross who
tagged Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur as he tried to score
from second.
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But Asche then doubled home first baseman Darin Ruf and Galvis for a
2-1 lead.
That advantage was short-lived thanks to Coghlan's two-run shot with
none out in the bottom of the fourth. The homer came off a 0-1 pitch
and scored right fielder Jorge Soler for a 3-2 Chicago advantage.
Phillies starter Jerome Williams, who had no decision, was lifted
for a pinch hitter in the seventh after working six innings and
allowing three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out four.
"Those two homers I kind of leaned back over the plate, but other
than that I felt like I was strong," said Williams, who was
reinstated from the 15-day disabled list this week after suffering a
left hamstring strain in June. "In my last rehab start I went 90
pitches in eight innings and felt more (comfortable)."
Lester was also pulled for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the
seventh. He allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out six and
walked none.
"A little bit of a grind," Lester said about his performance. "I
think I had runners on just about every inning but the seventh
maybe. They made us work."
Francoeur, Hernandez, Galvis, Asche, Ruf and center fielder Ben
Revere each had two hits for Philadelphia while Soler was 3-for-5
for Chicago.
NOTES: Philadelphia went 5-1 in a post-All Star break homestead. Now
the Phillies hope to solve some road woes as they open a five-game
swing. They have won just one road series in their last 18 dating
back to last season. ... Philadelphia sends LHP Cole Hamels (5-7,
3.91 ERA) against Chicago's Jake Arrieta (11-5, 2.52 ERA) in
Saturday's middle game. ... Arrieta is the Cubs' winningest pitcher
and has tossed 15 quality starts in 19 outings. ... Cubs 1B Anthony
Rizzo holds the all-time franchise record after being hit by 20
pitches and counting this season -- also the most in the major
leagues in 2015.
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