How Sweep it is, Lackey Rolls Against the Phillies (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

The Chicago Cubs (34-14) are now 20 games over .500 for the first time this year. That didn’t happen in 2015 until August 23rd. Quite an impressive improvement.

John Lackey (5-2, 3.16 ERA) was locked in early and allowed only four hits over 7.0 innings today to get the win. He allowed one run, a wind aided home run in the top of the seventh inning.

The boys got things rolling early, again, in today’s game when Anthony Rizzo blooped a single to center field scoring Dexter Fowler with one out in the bottom of the first inning. A mammoth solo home run by Miguel Montero that bounced off the right field score board in the bottom of the second inning, and the Cubs were up 2-0.

Ben Zobrist continues to power the Cubs offense any and every chance he gets. Today he came up in the bottom of the third inning and cranked his 7th home run of the year. It was a three-run shot and it put the game out of reach for the Cubs, who were up 5-0 at that point.

The Cubs added a couple more runs and put this one away, getting their fourth sweep of the year. Cubs win 7-2 (box score).

Stats that mattered

  • John Lackey had a great game today – 7.0IP, 1R, 4H, 4BB, 6Ks
  • Ben Zobrist is the gift that keeps on giving – 1-for-4, 1R, 3RBIs on that one big home run
  • Kris Bryant was on base a lot – 2-for-3, 2R, 1RBI, 1BB
  • Miguel Montero got in the act today too – 2-for-3, 1R, 2RBIs, 1BB, 1HR

Bottom line

Another all-around solid day for the Cubs, who seem to be hitting their stride. It couldn’t come at a better time either, the Dodgers roll into to town tomorrow with something to prove. It’s going to be a fun series.

Next up

The Dodgers come to Wrigley tomorrow to start a four-game series and Jason Hammel will take the ball for the Cubs at 4:05 PM CDT.

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