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Phils, Cubs play rubber match at Wrigley

Jul 20, 2011 - 2:33 PM (Sports Network) - The Cubs were on the verge of winning consecutive games for the first time this month before another bullpen meltdown cost them a victory.

Chicago will instead try to settle for a series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs dealt the Phillies and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay a 6-1 defeat in Monday's opener, putting themselves in position to win back-to-back games for the first time since June 29-30. They carried a two-run lead into the eighth inning on Tuesday thanks to Starlin Castro's first-inning homer, but Philadelphia's Chase Utley hit a two-run double in the eighth to tie the game before Michael Martinez blooped a double in the ninth frame off Sean Marshall that plated two runs.

"They have the best record in the league, and there's a reason why," Cubs second baseman Jeff Baker said. "Even when we're up, 2-0, we know it's not a safe lead. They had no panic whatsoever. Cliff Lee is out there and getting hit around a little bit but still able to make pitches. They never really buckled. They bend, but didn't break, and there's a reason they're the best team in the league."

The rally helped the Phillies reach 60 wins on the season and avoid losing consecutive games for the first time since a four-game slide from May 31-June 4.

Both of the starters had strong outings as Cliff Lee went six innings for Philadelphia and gave up two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts. Matt Garza carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning for the Cubs and was touched for just one run on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts over seven- plus innings.

The Cubs, who have lost four of six to the Phillies this year, try for the series win behind Ryan Dempster, who has won consecutive outings since a four- start winless span (0-1).

Dempster's last start came on Friday versus Florida and the right-hander hurled eight scoreless innings, scattering four hits without a walk and striking out nine. He improved to 7-6 with a 4.68 earned run average in 20 starts this season.

Dempster, 34, has a 3.42 ERA at home this season and is 5-4 with a pair of saves and 4.90 ERA lifetime versus the Phillies, who counter with the red-hot Vance Worley.

Worley is 3-0 with a 0.89 ERA in five starts since rejoining the rotation on June 18 due to injury and won his third straight start on Friday at the Mets. The righty, who has yet to allow more than one run over his five-game run, held the Mets to a run on four hits and four walks over 5 1/3 frames of a 7-2 triumph. He had lasted seven innings in his previous two outings.

"We pressed him one time as far as pushing him to seven innings," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "It's just a matter of time that you'll be seeing him go deep in the game. He has that kind of talent."

The 23-year-old is 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 11 games this season, including nine starts, and faces the Cubs for the first time.