4 Double Plays Help Cubs End Losing Streak

Steve Trout, with a key assist from the club’s new Iowa double play connection, Tuesday helped the Chicago Cubs end their longest losing streak of the season.

Trout, in his first appearance since May 4, scattered six hits over 8 innings to lead the Cubs to a 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The victory, Trout’s first since May 2, ended a five-game Chicago losing streak.

But it was the play of the Cubs’ new double-play combination, shortstop Mike Brumley and second baseman Paul Noce, that Trout said was the difference.

“I really attribute this win to the work of the defense. The way I pitch, you have to have a strong defense behind you and Noce and Brumley made the plays,” said Trout, 3-1, who came off the disabled list Monday after suffering a deep thigh bruise May 4. “If they don’t make the plays, I might be out.”

Noce and Brumley, called up from the Cubs’ Iowa farm club, turned four double plays in support of Trout. They will have plenty of chances to make plays in the ensuing weeks since regular shortstop Shawon Dunston and regular second baseman Ryne Sandberg are both on the disabled list. Dunston, suffering from a broken finger, is expected to be out of action for about six weeks and Sandberg, nursing a sprained ankle, may be out for five weeks.

“I’m just excited we were able to contribute in the field. I know Paul real well from playing at Iowa so I was comfortable out there,” said Brumley, who made his major league debut. “I just hope we can continue to contribute.”

Trout was lifted with two outs in the ninth after walking two. Ed Lynch relieved and permitted a run-batted in single by Glenn Wilson and a walk to Greg Gross to load the bases. Lee Smith relieved and got pinch hitter Von Hayes to bounce end to earn his 16th save.

Trout was staked to a big lead early. Leon Durham had a pair of RBI doubles and Dave Martinez and Jerry Mumphrey hit solo homers. Martinez’ homer keyed a three-run sixth that gave Chicago a 7-1 lead.

The Phillies contributed to the deficit by committing three errors, including two in the sixth.

“It was brutal out there,” said Philadelphia manager John Felske. “We were terrible.”

Kevin Gross, 4-6, gave up four runs in three and two-third innings.

“He might have still had some trouble with his leg. He just wasn’t throwing right,” Felske said.

Mumphrey homered to left in the first inning to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. The Phillies tied the score when Wilson’s grounder went through Durham’s legs at first for an error, allowing Mike Schmidt to score in the second.

Mumphrey beat out a single to start a two-run third. He left the game with a muscle cramp and was replaced by Bob Dernier, who had three hits.

Rafael Palmeiero, recalled from Iowa Monday night, followed with a run-scoring single and Durham lined his first RBI double.

Dernier’s single gave the Cubs a 4-1 lead in the fourth. After Martinez’ homer in the sixth, Dernier singled and Palmeiero hit an apparent double play grounder that second baseman Juan Samuel couldn’t handle. Durham followed with an RBI double and later in the inning, Brumley hit a fly ball that left fielder Jeff Russell dropped for an error, allowing the Cubs to push their lead to 7-1.