Phillies get walk-off win over visiting Cubs

[September 16, 2021] Andrew Knapp scored on a walk-off passed ball to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 6-5 win against the visiting Chicago Cubs in the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday night.

Knapp singled to lead off the ninth and was on third with two outs when a breaking ball from Trevor Megill (1-2) appeared to cross up catcher Robinson Chirinos. The ball hit his glove and caromed toward the third-base dugout, allowing Knapp to score easily.

J.T. Realmuto and Freddy Galvis both homered and each delivered three hits for the Phillies (73-72), who had dropped six of their previous seven games and now sit three games back of the second NL wild-card spot.

Matt Duffy had three hits, including a tying solo home run to lead off the ninth for the Cubs. Chirinos hit a tying two-run homer in the eighth, and Frank Schwindel also homered for Chicago (66-80).

Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado had a two-run lead when he started the eighth, but gave up a two-run homer to Chirinos to tie the score 4-4.

Realmuto led off the bottom half of the eighth with an opposite-field homer off reliever Codi Heuer to move the Phillies back ahead by a run, but they gave it back when Duffy homered off Ian Kennedy (2-1) to lead off the ninth and tie the score 5-5.

Phillies starter Ranger Suarez allowed two runs and six hits over six innings. He struck out eight and walked one in his ninth straight start since getting promoted from the bullpen.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Adbert Alzolay (73) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Suarez had pitched at least five innings and allowed one run or fewer in his previous four starts, but won just one of those outings.

Cubs starter Alec Mills allowed four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Bryce Harper doubled to lead off the fourth inning and scored on a double play for a 1-0 lead.

Andrew McCutchen worked a walk before Galvis lifted a 2-0 pitch over the fence in right for a 3-0 lead.

Duffy led off the fifth inning with a double down the left-field line. Schwindel followed with a two-run homer to right to make it 3-2.

Suarez helped himself with a leadoff double in the fifth. He eventually scored on a two-out single by Realmuto on the first pitch from reliever Scott Effross, extending the lead to 4-2.

--Field Level Media

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