Cubs end skid, defeat visiting Phillies
CHICAGO -- Kyle Schwarber clubbed a three-run home run while Kris Bryant and Javier Baez each added solo shots as the Chicago Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on a chilly Tuesday night.
Baez also tripled and had a career-high four hits as Chicago (14-12) snapped a two-game losing streak.
Schwarber went 1-for-5 with his first home run since April 18 while Bryant was 2-for-4 with his fifth homer and first triple.
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (1-1) worked five innings for his first win after four no-decisions and a loss while improving to 7-0 all-time against Philadelphia.
Phillies right-handed starter Jeremy Hellickson (4-1) had his worst outing of the season, suffering his first loss in a season-low four-inning effort for the Phillies (12-13).
The Phillies scored their 26th first-inning run of the season when Aaron Altherr lined his third homer into the left-center-field basket for a 1-0 lead.
Bryant replied with a one-out, bases-empty homer in the Cubs' first. It was his fifth of the season.
Baez clubbed his second home run in as many nights for a 2-1 lead to start the third.
Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph doubled into the right-field corner to drive home Michael Saunders with one out in the fourth for a 2-2 tie.
In the Cubs' fourth, Schwarber broke out of a 2-for-21 slump with his fourth homer of the season -- a two-out drive to right that plated Lester and Baez for a 5-2 lead.
Bryant followed with his first triple and scored as Ben Zobrist's extra-base hit made it 6-2.
Lester faced a bases-loaded situation with one out in the fifth and Saunders brought home Cesar Hernandez from third on a fielder's choice grounder to cut the deficit to 6-3. But he escaped further damage by striking out Joseph to end the inning.
Hellickson allowed a season-high six earned runs on eight hits in four innings while walking two and striking out a pair.
Chicago scored twice off reliver Mark Leiter, Jr. with Baez providing the big blow -- a two-out triple to right that scored Russell and Willson Contreras for an 8-3 lead.
Lester was out after five innings, pulled for pinch hitter. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits, walked five and struck out five.
NOTES: Philadelphia's 26 first-inning runs rank second in the majors behind the Milwaukee Brewers' 28. ... Phillies RHP Aaron Nola remained on the 10-day disabled list (lower back sprain) but threw bullpen sessions this week and holds out hope he could return to the rotation this weekend at home against Washington. ... The Phillies send RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-2, 3.56 ERA) against Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (3-1, 4.66 ERA) in Wednesday's third game of the series. ... LF Kyle Schwarber, who came up to the majors as a catcher, saw his first action behind the plate this season as he worked two innings in Monday's 10-2 loss. ... 3B Kris Bryant received his 2016 NL Most Valuable Player award in a pre-game ceremony on Tuesday. ... The series wraps up with a night game on Wednesday and a Thursday day game. ... The teams meet again in a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park from Aug. 25-27.