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Phils try to even heated series with Cubs

Jul 19, 2011 - 2:57 PM (Sports Network) - The Phillies may hold the best record in baseball, but even the heat can get to them sometimes.

After losing a series opener for the first time in over a month, Philadelphia will try to even its three-game series with the Chicago Cubs this evening at Wrigley Field.

Aiming for their 60th victory of the season, the Phillies instead dropped a 6-1 decision to the Cubs on Monday night. With high humidity cooking Wrigley Field, Philadelphia starter Roy Halladay was forced to leave the game during the fifth inning because of the heat.

Halladay had allowed three runs before his exit and saw a road streak of 63 straight games of at least six innings pitched end. The four-plus inning outing was also his shortest since June 12, 2009.

"He got real hot and dizzy and we were concerned about dehydration," said Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel about Halladay. "We brought him in here and got [the Cubs] doctor and he looked at him and treated him."

Jimmy Rollins' home run accounted for all the offense for the Phillies, who dropped a series opener for the first time since losing to Seattle to begin a three-game set on June 17 and saw their lead atop the National League East over the Braves dip to 2 1/2 games.

Aramis Ramirez hit a solo homer and Carlos Pena added the 250th home run of his career for the Cubs, who had lost four of five. Rodrigo Lopez grabbed the win as he gave up just one run and five hits with three strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings.

"That's why you show up everyday in spite of the struggles we've had this season," said Chicago manager Mike Quade. "If you look at the guys we have, we can win any night and we showed that here."

Chicago may need to be on top of its game again tonight when it squares off against Philadelphia's Cliff Lee, who takes a third stab at his 10th victory of the season.

Lee won all five of his starts in June and allowed only one earned run over 42 innings during the month for a 0.21 earned run average. The left-hander was then roughed up in his first start of July, getting tagged for seven runs -- six earned -- over 7 1/3 innings at Toronto.

The lefty rebounded nicely six days later on July 9 versus the Braves, throwing eight innings of one-run ball and connecting on his first career home run. He also struck out nine in a no-decision.

"Anything I can do to help the team win is important, whether it's on the mound or with the bat," said Lee, who is 9-6 with a 2.82 ERA in 19 starts. "I take [hitting] very seriously. It was the first of my career and it's a very good feeling."

Lee, who gave up one run on a solo homer over 1 2/3 innings pitched in last week's All-Star Game, is a perfect 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in five career starts versus the Cubs. That includes a victory on June 11 when he yielded a run over eight innings while striking out seven.

Taking the hill for the Cubs will be Matt Garza, who lasted just two innings in his final start prior to the All-Star break before bouncing back with a solid effort versus the Marlins.

Garza gave up six hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings, striking out six while leaving with a lead. The 27-year-old righty ended up with a no- decision after his bullpen gave up a late lead.

Garza is 4-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 17 starts this year, including a solid 2.88 ERA in nine games at Wrigley Field. He made the second start of his career versus the Phillies and Cliff Lee on June 11 and took a tough-luck loss despite giving up two runs -- one earned -- over six innings.

Philadelphia, which won three of four at home over Chicago on June 9-12, is expected to activate outfielder Shane Victorino from the disabled list before tonight's game. Victorino has been out since July 4 due to a strained right thumb.