PHILADELPHIA – After the reliever Nate Pearson opened the game with a scoreless inning, right-handed Caleb Kilian made his season debut in the Cubs’ 6-2 loss to the Phillies on Monday.
“Not quite the way I wanted to,” Kilian said after allowing five earned runs and eight hits in 5⅔ innings. “I kind of hurt myself there, falling behind and letting people walk. But I got a little better toward the end, started using my new slider a little more, and I thought it was pretty encouraging to see how that played out here.”
The Cubs had already been eliminated from the playoff race, but this result allowed the Phillies to win their first National League East title since 2011.
Kilian suffered a shoulder strain in spring training and was on the injured list until late July. After being activated and placed in Triple-A, he posted a 2.45 ERA in Iowa. He worked on developing his new slider and continuing to throw strikes and lead in the count.
Kilian was able to carry the progress from the former but not the latter into Monday’s game, as he allowed four walks. He also allowed home runs JT Realmuto And Kyle Schwarber.
Squad changes
The Cubs recalled Kilian before the game and put the reliever Jorge Lopez on the 15-day IL with a season-ending groin strain. It was the same injury that sent him to the IL earlier this month.
“He was in the bullpen (Sunday) and basically just couldn’t get over it,” said manager Craig Counsell said. “And it’s getting a little worse again.”
The Cubs have also signed relievers as options Trey Wingenter to Iowa and called Gavin Hollowellwhom they acquired off waivers from the Diamondbacks last month. Hollowell threw 1⅓ scoreless innings and received unsolicited praise from Counsell afterward.
To strengthen the depth of their bullpen, the Cubs also signed the right-hander Enoli Paredes released by the Brewers.
Happ Update
Left fielder Ian Happwho was left out of the lineup on Sunday due to a tight lower back, was out again.
“It’s still a day-to-day thing,” Counsell said. “Nothing we need to be overly concerned about.”
Shortstop Dansby Swanson was also not in the squad, but that was because of a planned day off, Counsell said.
