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Morgan allows 3 homers as Phils fall to Cubs

CHICAGO - David Ross walked to the top of the dugout steps on Friday afternoon and doffed his helmet, much to the pleasure of the raucous Wrigley Field crowd. Adam Morgan, who allowed three homers in a 6-2 loss to the Cubs, was left alone on the mound as he weathered another frustrating start.

CHICAGO - David Ross walked to the top of the dugout steps on Friday afternoon and doffed his helmet, much to the pleasure of the raucous Wrigley Field crowd. Adam Morgan, who allowed three homers in a 6-2 loss to the Cubs, was left alone on the mound as he weathered another frustrating start.

Morgan allowed six runs on eight hits. He was removed in the fifth inning after giving up a leadoff homer to Kris Bryant. Morgan has allowed 22 earned runs in 292/3 innings since being promoted from triple A at the end of April.

He has pitched five or fewer innings in four of his seven starts. The pitcher has been plagued by inconsistencies. His three solid starts this season have each been followed by rough outings as he is unable to string together success.

"You try to be consistent every time out and give your team a chance to win," Morgan said. "When you put them in a hole like that, it's hard."

The lefthander lacked zip on his fastball and his breaking pitches were flat. The three-run homer Morgan allowed to Ross - the 100th of the veteran catcher's career - traveled well over the wall in left field.

It put the Cubs ahead by four runs and crushed any fight the Phillies had left. The blast would have landed on Waveland Avenue if it had not crashed into a recently constructed advertising sign.

Morgan's time in the majors could be running out if his inconsistencies continue. Zach Eflin, a 22-year-old righthander, has allowed only one run in his last 21 innings with triple-A Lehigh Valley. Eflin has allowed zero runs in four of his eight starts. He is pushing for a promotion.

"Nobody is solid in their spot," manager Pete Mackanin said. "Last year, I always had to talk about how you audition everyday. Every time you go out there, you have to keep doing it. At this level, consistency is the hallmark of a good major-league player. That includes pitchers. You have to be good."

The Phillies offense did little to help Morgan. Both of the team's runs were driven home by Maikel Franco. The Phillies have the second-lowest run total in baseball and have scored two or fewer runs in 17 of their 48 games.

Peter Bourjos, who slapped a pair of singles, scored in the third inning on Franco's sacrifice fly. Odubel Herrera scored in the seventh on Franco's infield single. Herrera reached on a double, the team's lone extra-base hit. The Phillies entered Friday with the second-lowest total of extra-base hits in baseball.

The bats were stymied by lefthander Jon Lester. The Cubs pitcher struck out seven batters and walked two in 61/3 innings. The run by Bourjos was not charged to Lester after Freddy Galvis reached on an error by centerfielder Dexter Fowler.

Lester retired 12 of the next 17 batters and allowed just two runners to reach second base. He was removed after Herrera lashed a one-out double in the sixth. He had thrown 105 pitches. Lester walked off the mound and was greeted by a standing ovation. The pitcher touched the brim of his cap, not quite the tip that Ross had returned to the cheers, but the fans were just as pleased.

mbreen@phillynews.com

@matt_breen