Zobrist, Montero Homer, Lackey Sharp As Cubs Sweep Phillies
CHICAGO (AP) — Ben Zobrist hit a three-run homer, John Lackey pitched seven solid innings and the Chicago Cubs completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 7-2 victory Sunday.
Miguel Montero added a solo homer and drove in two runs as the Cubs (34-14) won their fifth straight and became the first team this season to get to 20 games over .500.
Zobrist's two-out drive to right off Vince Velasquez (5-2) made it 5-0 in the third. It extended Zobrist's hitting streak to 15 games and put the Cubs on the way to their sixth series sweep.
Tyler Goeddel's solo homer in the seventh was the lone blemish for Lackey (5-2), who gave up four hits and struck out six in his sixth straight quality start.
Velasquez allowed seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings in the Phillies' first sweep at Wrigley Field since 1995.
The Phillies, second-to-last in in the majors in runs and homered, shook up their lineup.
Tommy Joseph started at first base in place of Ryan Howard even with a right-hander starting and then homered in the ninth off Justin Grimm. Andres Blanco played second and hit third.
But Philadelphia managed five hits while scoring two or fewer runs for the sixth time in nine games.
A miserable weekend for the Phillies included the end of Freddy Galvis' 44-game streak without an error at shortstop. He booted Jason Heyward's grounder in the fifth. Heyward scored on Kris Bryant's single and Velasquez was lifted after Montero's RBI single three batters later made it 7-0.
Montero also hit a leadoff drive in the second for his first homer since opening day. Velasquez has allowed five homers in his last two starts.
The Phillies have dropped seven of nine and were swept for the first time since their season-opening series against Cincinnati.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: OF Cody Asche (oblique) went 2 for 12 in three rehab games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Cubs: CF Dexter Fowler stayed in after sliding awkwardly into C Cameron Rupp's shinguard at home on Anthony Rizzo's RBI single in the first.
BROOMS APLENTY
The Cubs also have swept the Angels, Reds, Brewers, Pirates and Nationals. They are 11-4-1 in 16 series.
HOT ZOBRIST
Zobrist became the first Cubs player to collect 40 hits in May since Alfonso Soriano in 2008.
HOWARD'S STRUGGLES
The 24-year-old Joseph hit his third homer and went 1 for 4 in place of the struggling Howard. The 2006 NL MVP is hitting .154 with 50 strikeouts after an 0-for-4, two-strikeout game Saturday.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.97 ERA) starts Monday night against Washington RHP Tanner Roark (3-4, 2.71 ERA) to begin an 11-game homestand.
Cubs: RHP Jason Hammel (6-1, 2.17 ERA) faces Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (1-3, 4.03 ERA) on Monday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won't face Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw in the four-game series. "Bummer, man," manager Joe Maddon said, smiling.
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