July 8 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs offense jumped on All-Star pitcher Zack Wheeler early to snap an 11-game losing streak and beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 at Wrigley Field.
Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom drove in two runs in the victory Wednesday in Chicago. Left fielder Joc Pederson, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Nico Hoerner collected two hits apiece for the Cubs.
Wheeler allowed eight hits and seven runs -- four earned -- in 5 2/3 innings to drop to 6-5 this season.
"It was frustrating for sure," Wheeler told reporters. "There were a lot of bloop hits. Sometimes that's just how the ball rolls. It wasn't very fun."
Third baseman Kris Bryant reached first base on a fielding error by Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius in the Cubs' second at-bat of the night. Rizzo followed with a single to center field. Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, Hoerner and center fielder Rafael Ortega then hit three-consecutive RBI singles for a 3-0 lead.
The Cubs struck again in the bottom of the second. Rizzo brought in Pederson with an RBI triple for the first run of the inning. Cubs catcher Willson Contreras then scored Rizzo on a single in the next at-bat.
Wheeler settled down and retired the next 10 batters in order. Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper plated catcher J.T. Realmuto on an RBI double in the top of the sixth inning. Veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen followed with a 394-foot, two-run homer to make the score 5-3.
The Cubs responded with a Pederson RBI single and a Wisdom two-run double in the bottom of the inning for the final runs of the game.
Cubs relief pitchers Rex Brothers, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel allowed just one hit and no runs over the final 3 1/3 innings to preserve the lead. Cubs starter Alec Mills allowed five hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings to improve to 4-2 in 2021.
The Cubs (43-44) host the Phillies (41-43) at 8:05 p.m. EDT Thursday at Wrigley Field.