(Reuters) — Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer, Colin Rea threw 6 2/3 quality innings and the Chicago Cubs posted a 5-1 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
Rea (3-0) continued an impressive start to the season, allowing just one run on five hits, striking out five and walking two. Alex Bregnan had two hits for the Cubs, who won their sixth in a row.
Aaron Nola (1-2) gave up five runs on six hits across 4 1/3 innings for Philadelphia, striking out five and walking four. Justin Crawford drove in a run for the Phillies, who dropped their sixth straight game.
After a scoreless first, Philadelphia’s Adolis Garcia began the second with a single before Bryson Stott’s single and Crawford’s walk loaded the bases with two outs. Rea escaped the jam, though, striking out Rafael Marchan.
Chicago’s Ian Happ and Moises Ballesteros both singled and Michael Conforto walked to load the bases in the bottom of the second. The Cubs took the lead as Miguel Amaya grounded into a double play.
After Pete Crow-Armstrong’s walk, Swanson clobbered a 424-foot homer — his fifth of the year — to extend Chicago’s lead to 4-0.
The Cubs tacked on in the third. Michael Busch singled and Bregman doubled before Ballesteros’ one-out walk loaded the bases. Conforto’s sacrifice fly pushed the margin to five runs.
Crawford laced an RBI double in the fourth to cut the Phillies’ deficit to 5-1.
Kyle Backhus relieved Nola, who had thrown 88 pitches, in the fifth.
