Phillies’ Offense Explodes with Six Runs in Fourth Inning

CHICAGO — The Philadelphia Phillies broke a five-game losing streak Saturday with a 10-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs, showcasing their offensive potential in a decisive fourth inning.

The inning was kickstarted by Max Kepler‘s 197-foot bloop single that fell fair despite the whipping wind at Wrigley Field. Manager Rob Thomson had been seeking a breakout moment, and Kepler’s hit proved to be the spark the team needed.

“It might take a bloop hit at some point, and then it just kind of explodes,” Thomson said before the game. He got his wish as the Phillies scored six runs, ending a week of struggle where they scored just 13 runs over five games.

Kepler, reflecting on the pivotal inning, commented, “Me and [my teammates] had some duck-fart knocks, and then we opened it up. That’s the game of baseball, you know?” After Kepler’s single, the team followed with four consecutive hits, leading to a flood of runs.

While the fourth inning was the highlight, it was also a game of milestones. Kepler hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his first since March 31, marking the first home run for any Phillies player since last Monday.

The victory brought the Phillies’ record to 14-13, narrowly over .500. Only one player, J.T. Realmuto, did not contribute to the scoring, while every other starter had at least one hit.

Thomson opted to stick with the usual lineup against right-handed pitching, a decision that proved fruitful. “It was good to see. I thought we had really good at-bats,” he said.

The win provided a much-needed morale boost for the Phillies, who had lost 11 of their last 17 games after starting the season strong at 7-2. Kepler noted the importance of rallying together, saying, “That inning started with some small, not-very-impressive hits, but it got the job done.”

As the game progressed, pitcher Jesús Luzardo benefited from the support, allowing no hits until two outs in the fifth inning. Despite some struggles in the bullpen later, the Phillies managed to secure the win without significant stress.

The players expressed hope that this performance could signify a turning point. Luzardo emphasized, “We all know what this lineup is capable of. There’s no doubt about that.”