Cubs give up lead in 9th, lose in 10th, 5-3 to Phillies

CHICAGO (AP) -- Locked in a battle for the National League's second wild-card spot, the Chicago Cubs know they don't have much room for error.

Losing to teams struggling to win won't help their cause.

Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the Philadelphia Phillies, who had rallied to tie in the ninth, beat the Cubs 5-3 on Friday.

The Cubs - who are in the midst of a 20-game stretch against teams with sub-.500 records - dropped to 5-6 this season against teams with losing records.

"We still have to play good baseball regardless of who you're playing," said Cubs starter Jon Lester, who had a no-decision on Friday.

Francoeur drove his game-winner deep into the bleachers in left field off Cubs reliever Rafael Soriano, who came in for James Russell (0-2), who gave up a leadoff single to Cesar Hernandez in the 10th.

Jonathan Papelbon pitched the 10th for Philadelphia and earned his 17th save in as many opportunities after Ken Giles (5-2) worked the ninth inning.

The Phillies, who won for the sixth time in seven games since the All-Star break, tied the game in the ninth when Cody Asche delivered his second RBI double of the game off Motte who said afterward, "It happens."

It proved to be the window the Phillies needed.

"I don't know what it is, but the guys are playing well," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "There's a few mistakes here and there, but there are so many positives that are going on."

Motte, who blew his first save in seven chances, stranded the go-ahead run at second by getting pinch-hitters Odubel Herrera and Carlos Ruiz to fly out.

By then, the damage was done.

"We had an opportunity to win it," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

"You grieve for 30 minutes and throw it in the trash can."

The Cubs had their chances.

Chris Coghlan's two-run homer in the fourth inning off Phillies starter Jerome Williams erased a one-run deficit and gave the Cubs a 3-2 lead that stood until the ninth when Asche tied the game with his double.

Williams, making his first start since coming off the disabled list July 21, gave up three earned runs over six innings, scattering six hits, including homers to Kris Bryant and Coghlan. Williams struck out four while walking one.

The Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when they strung together three hits off Lester, capped by Asche's two-out, two-run double.

Lester gave up seven hits and two earned runs while walking one and striking out two in seven innings.

Bryant gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the third inning with a solo home run. The star rookie third baseman had been struggling and was 4 for 28 since the All-Star break - before hitting his 13th homer of the season.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Phillies: Williams (hamstring strain) made his first start on Friday after returning from the 15-day DL on July 21.

OLYMPIC RING

Olympic champion gymnast Shawn Johnson threw out a ceremonial first ball at Wrigley Field and then was surprised by longtime boyfriend Andrew East, a rookie long snapper for the Kansas City Chiefs.

East dropped to one knee near home plate and presented the 2008 gold medalist with a diamond engagement ring. A stunned Johnson put her hands over her mouth, bobbed her head up and down, then jumped into his arms.

UP NEXT

Phillies: LHP Cole Hamels (5-7) will try to bounce back from consecutive tough outings and his first win since May 23 against Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (11-5) who is 5-1 and has a 1.57 ERA.

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