Rollins Ties Schmidt's Franchise Hits Record, But Phillies Lose To Cubs
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jimmy Rollins has two more tries to celebrate a major milestone at home.
Rollins tied Mike Schmidt's franchise record of 2,234 hits, but the Philadelphia Phillies lost 2-1 to the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.
With the Hall of Fame third baseman watching in a suite, Rollins led off the bottom of the ninth with a double to right off Neil Ramirez. He scored on Domonic Brown's two-out single, but Carlos Ruiz struck out looking with the tying run on third.
"It's been fun," Rollins said of the chase. "It's something I want to do at home. I want to share it with the people of Philadelphia."
The Phillies have two more games at Citizens Bank Park before hitting the road.
Jake Arrieta threw seven impressive innings and Starlin Castro hit a two-run to help the Cubs win in matchup of last-place teams.
Arrieta (2-1) allowed two hits and no runs, tying a career high with nine strikeouts. He didn't give up a hit until Brown sliced a double just inside the left field line with one out in the fifth.
The Phillies were seeking their first four-game winning streak since last June 2-6.
"We've haven't been winning in streaks, or in general," Rollins said.
Phillies starter Roberto Hernandez (2-5) was ejected after hitting Castro with a fastball on the left arm in the sixth inning. Plate umpire Mark Ripperger immediately tossed Hernandez, even though there were no previous warnings, hit batters, or inside pitches. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg also was ejected after he came out to argue.
"I was very, very surprised," Hernandez said. "I didn't throw that on purpose. I wanted to continue to throw the ball down. I had two outs. I wanted to pitch into the next inning."
Hernandez allowed two runs and three hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked Anthony Rizzo leading off the fourth. Castro then drove his ninth homer out to left.
"I pitched a good game, one bad pitch the home run," Hernandez said.
Castro and Hernandez are friends from the Dominican Republic.
"I don't think he did it on purpose," Castro said. "He's a good friend of mine. I see him every day in the Dominican."
The Phillies were coming off a three-game sweep over San Diego. They're desperately trying to rebound following a terrible stretch in order to avoid what could be a fire sale before the non-waiver trade deadline July 31.
"Best part of the last few days is we've been playing good baseball," Rollins said. "Things are slowly coming our way."
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