Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/9/25): Phillies 4, Cubs 3 F/11 – Extra Innings Bunts Doom Cubs

The Cubs kicked off their series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night. It was a tight, low-scoring game that eventually needed extra innings, but the home team used small ball to eke out a victory.

Kyle Tucker gave the North Siders a 1st inning lead with a long solo home run off of ace Zack Wheeler. Matthew Boyd started strong before running into a big problem in the 4th when Philadelphia loaded the bases with nobody out. J.T. Realmuto drove in the tying run on an RBI groundout, but a double play ended the threat with no more damage.

Boyd made a costly throwing error on a pickoff attempt at first base in the 5th inning, allowing Otto Kemp to move all the way to third and score the go-ahead run on a single by Weston Wilson. The Phillies had several more scoring chances but could not expand on their 2-1 advantage.

The Cubs tied up the game in the top of the 8th when Ian Happ hit a massive solo homer against left-handed reliever Matt Strahm. The game remained even and eventually headed to extras, where Chicago went ahead on an RBI double by Pete Crow-Armstrong in the top of the 11th.

Unfortunately, closer Daniel Palencia gave up a single to Realmuto to knot the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the frame. A pair of perfectly placed bunts then loaded the bases for Brandon Marsh, who hit a deep fly ball that fell for the walk-off single as Philadelphia won 4-3. (Box score)

Key Moment

PCA made it to third base with one out in the 11th, but the Cubs could not get him home.

Why the Cubs Lost

Other than the two homers, the lineup did not do much against another very good starter in Wheeler.

Stats That Matter

• Boyd started out great and lost some steam, but still had a quality start: 6 IP, 2 R, 8 H, 0 K, 2 BB.
• Tucker walked twice in addition to his homer.
• Matt Shaw had a single and made several outstanding plays at third base.

Bottom Line

The Cubs are on a run of facing some of the best pitchers in baseball and they are having trouble scoring. They put up a very good fight and had a chance to win this game, now they just have to brush themselves off and get back to it on Tuesday.

On Deck

Game two of the series is Tuesday at 5:45pm CT. Colin Rea makes the start against Mick Abel in a contest available on Marquee with the radio feed on 670 The Score.