Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/25/24): Phillies 9, Cubs 6 – Assad Snowman Leads to Loss
The Cubs attempted to win their series against the Phillies Wednesday night but it was not to be. Philadelphia jumped ahead early and then pulled away late after a Chicago rally had briefly made it a one-run game, eventually taking home the 9-6 victory.
Javier Assad was not sharp in his final start of 2024, giving up a solo homer to Trea Turner and a two-run double to Bryson Stott in the 1st. Nick Castellanos went deep in the 3rd inning to increase the Phils’ lead to 4-0.
The Cubs finally got to lefty starter Cristopher Sánchez in the 4th, putting two on with one out for Nico Hoerner. The stout second baseman cracked a three-run home run to left that cut the deficit to 4-3. Kody Clemens got one of the tallies back with a dinger in the bottom of the frame.
Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single to again make it a one-run game in the 5th but Assad hit a major jam in the bottom of the frame loading the bases with one down. Keegan Thompson took over in relief and immediately allowed a bases-clearing double to long-haired wild man Brandon Marsh, which gave Philadelphia an 8-4 edge.
Hoerner hit his second home run in the 6th and J.T. Realmuto singled home Stott in the 7th. Dansby Swanson wrapped up the scoring with an RBI double in the 9th as the Phillies sealed the win. (Box score)
Key Moment
Philadelphia was able to break the game open in the 5th after Chicago had clawed their way back into it.
Why the Cubs Lost
A bad starting pitching effort put them in a hole they could not climb out of Wednesday.
Stats That Matter
- It was a rough final game for Assad but a very good overall year: 4.1 IP, 8 R, 8 H, 3 K, and 3 BB.
- Isaac Paredes had four hits and was robbed of a fifth on a diving catch.
- This was Horner’s first career two homer game.
- Speaking of career firsts, Kevin Alcántara made his major league debut on Wednesday and legged out an infield single in the 9th for his first MLB hit.
First career hit for Kevin Alcántara.
Welcome to The Show! pic.twitter.com/SAfoe4Sqej
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 26, 2024
Bottom Line
Several Cubs hitters are ending the season on a high-note and hopefully they can carry it over into 2025. Alcántara is probably going to get a lot more knocks in his career and almost all of them will be hit much harder than that first one.
On Deck
After a day off on Thursday, Chicago begin their final series of the year against the Reds at Wrigley starting Friday at 1:20pm CT. Jameson Taillon makes his last 2024 outing in a matchup airing on MLB Network (out of market only), Marquee, and 670 The Score.