Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Box Score on May 04, 2017

The Sports Xchange
May 4, 2017

CHICAGO -- An alert Albert Almora Jr. sprinted home for the game-winning run in the 13th inning as the Chicago Cubs claimed a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

Almora was perched at second after a leadoff double. With runners at first and second and one out, he was bound for third as Matt Szczur hit into a fielder's choice grounder.

But instead of an inning-ending double play, an errant throw by Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis missed its target and allowed Almora to head for home and the walk-off win.

Cubs reliever Koji Uehara (1-2) -- Chicago's eighth pitcher of the day -- had a one-two-three 13th and earned the victory as the Cubs (16-12) won their third straight and took three of four in the series.

Left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez, the fourth Phillies' pitcher of the day, worked 2 2/3 innings and took the loss as the Phillies (12-15) finished a seven-game road trip with just one victory.

Phillies starter Zach Eflin worked seven innings while Cubs veteran John Lackey went five, but neither had a decision.

Cesar Hernandez went 4-for-7 with two runs scored for the Phillies. Kris Bryant led the Cubs with a 4-for-5 afternoon with a walk.

The Cubs led 1-0 in the first as Addison Russell doubled to deep right with two out to score Bryant. Szczur's two-out second-inning double brought home Almora for a 2-0 lead.

The Phillies got one back on Aaron Altherr's two-out single to right, scoring Hernandez from second. Maikel Franco tied the game at 2-2, leading off the fourth inning with a first-pitch home run to left and his team-leading fifth of the season.

Philadelphia had Altherr at second and Hernandez at third with one out in the fifth and took a 3-2 lead as Franco's fielder's choice grounder to third brought home Hernandez.

The Cubs loaded the bases loaded with one out in the fifth and forced a 3-3 tie as Miguel Montero's sacrifice to center brought home Jon Jay.

Lackey was out after five innings, and replaced by left-hander Brian Duensing. Lackey allowed three runs on nine hits, struck out six and walked none.

Cubs right-hander Justin Grimm entered in the seventh, loaded the bases and was pulled in favor of right-hander Pedro Strop, who struck out Tommy Joseph to end the threat.

Eflin worked seven innings for the third straight start, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out one.

Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp slugged a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning for a temporary 4-3 lead. Montero, the Cubs catcher, replied with a one-out bases empty home run to center to force a 4-4 tie.

The Cubs had the potential game-winning runners at second twice in the ninth inning but Ben Zobrist was picked off and Jay was stranded there as Anthony Rizzo grounded to the pitcher for a final out.

Chicago had the bases loaded with none out in the 12th, but Contreras grounded into an inning-ending double play.

NOTES: Philadelphia failed to score in the first inning for the first time in four games. The Phillies have 28 first inning runs to date, tied with Milwaukee for the major league lead entering Thursday night. ... The Phillies are back home on Friday to open a three-game weekend series against Washington. Philadelphia sends RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1, 3.60 ERA) against Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (2-1, 3.09 ERA). ... The Cubs host the Yankees for a three-game weekend series beginning on Friday afternoon as RHP Michael Pineda (3-1, 3.14 ERA) goes against Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 4.18 ERA). ... Three ex-Cubs will be among the returnees, including former NL All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro and relief pitchers Aroldis Chapman and Mike Ward. Both pitchers will receive 2016 World Series rings from the Cubs this weekend. ... C Willson Contreras has caught six runners trying to steal, tied for third most in baseball behind Cleveland's Yan Gomes and Cincinnati's Tucker Barnhart with seven apiece.