The Cubs were looking for their 2nd straight series win, but settled for a split with the Phillies after losing 6-4 on Monday night.  It was not a pretty night for Chris Volstad yet again as he surrendered 4 1st inning runs to put the Cubs in an early hole.  Volstad ended up going a full 6 innings (4ER on 8 hits and 3 walks) to his credit, but he can’t keep having these sub-par outings.

Give the Cubs some credit for battling back against the Phillies though.  Geovany Soto wasted a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and nobody out in the 7th when he grounded into a double play.  But at least he didn’t strike out I guess.

In the 8th, Tony Campana walked, stole 2nd and scored on Starlin Castro’s RBI single.  Then it was Bryan LaHair who stroked a game-tying 2-run jack to deep right center field to give the Cubs new life.

But it was short-lived as the Cubs bullpen couldn’t force extra innings.  Scott Maine plunked Juan Pierre with 1 out in the 8th.  Then Rafael Dolis served up a Jimmy Rollins single which put runners on the corners with 2 outs.  Dolis couldn’t close the door as he gave up a game-winning 2-run double to Placido Palonco to give the Phils a 6-4 win.

The Cubs go to Cincinnati to take on the Reds – they are 8-15 – 7 games back of the 1st place St. Louis Cardinals.