Ryne Sandberg's return to the Windy City could end with a series victory Sunday when the Philadelphia Phillies play the rubber match of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
The Phillies won the series opener, 6-5, but then fell 4-3 yesterday thanks to Starlin Castro's go-ahead home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sandberg, who is 9-7 since being named interim manager of the team Aug. 16, spent 15 years in the major leagues with the Cubs and was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Kyle Kendrick has a chance to help his team to a series win today. The Phillies right-hander is 0-3 over his last four appearances. The Phillies have been shut out in three of those games. He's 1-1 with a 2.86 ERA in five games (4 starts) against the Cubs.
Jake Arrieta pitched well in his first two starts since he was acquired by the Cubs from Baltimore, but the right-hander has struggled his last two times out. Arrieta has given up 11 hits and 10 runs over nine total innings in an 0-1 showing.
This will be Arrieta's second career start against the Phillies. He was charged with 11 hits and nine runs over four innings of a 9-6 loss on June 8, 2012 at Camden Yards.
Tied at 3-3 in the sixth and with Zach Miner (0-1) pitching for Philadelphia, the leadoff man Castro hammered a 1-0 fastball to center to give Chicago the lead for good yesterday.
"Swinging the bat with a lot more authority lately and seeing him put that kind of swing on that ball with the wind blowing in, that was nice," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.
Carlos Villanueva (3-8) threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win while Kevin Gregg worked around a two-out single in the ninth to notch his 28th save.
Cliff Lee lasted five frames, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on nine hits and three walks.
"Felt like I had to battle," Lee said. "Seeing like they had a lot of long at- bats and grinded me out. Saw a bunch of pitches and battled."
Late last night, just prior to the waiver trading deadline, the Phillies dealt infielder Michael Young and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen.
The Phillies have won six of their last eight against the Cubs.
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