Phillies' frustrations mount as Cubs deliver 8th loss in row - ESPN

CHICAGO — The Philadelphia Phillies used an opener and changed up their batting order Wednesday, but neither move did the trick, as they dropped their eighth consecutive game, losing 7-2 to the Chicago Cubs. The eight straight losses are the team's most since a nine-game skid in 2018.

«Just not going our way right now,» pitcher Taijuan Walker said afterward. «We're not executing. Just kind of in a rut. When you get in these ruts, it's hard to get out of sometimes. And right now we're just not getting out of it.»

Walker was the bulk pitcher Wednesday after left-hander Kyle Backhus pitched the first inning, giving up a run on two hits. Walker didn't fare much better, giving up five runs, although only four were earned.

The Phillies were leading 2-1 in the second inning when a misplayed ball in center by Justin Crawford and second baseman Edmundo Sosa allowed the Cubs to tie the score. Philadelphia never recaptured the lead — or scored again.

"[Crawford] called it too early and got Sosa out of there and really that's Sosa's ball," manager Rob Thomson said. «And I think that just comes with experience, playing in this ballpark with the wind and you got to really make sure that you get there.»

The play was emblematic of the Phillies' recent woes, which were outdone only by the New York Mets, who snapped their own 12-game losing skid Wednesday. Now it's Philadelphia that owns the longest current losing streak in MLB.

«Yeah, it sucks,» shortstop Trea Turner said. «Not having much fun in here, which is tough. This is a great game. We're lucky to play it. And when you are expected to win and you want to win and it's not happening, it's tough and not fun, but that's why we're here.»

The Phillies managed nine hits but didn't earn a