The team rattled off an impressive win streak before hitting the All-Star break, then took a game from the juggernaut Chicago Cubs. Most recently, the Phillies needed extra innings and a catcher's interference fluke to defeat them, as starter Walker Buehler enjoyed an encouraging return to form.

Resetting after the All-Star break has been a challenge for the Red Sox, at least for these first two games at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. After riding the wave of a 10-game winning streak into the break,

3) Alex Bregman broke the game open with a pinch-hit three-run home run in the eighth inning, making it 5-1 Boston. Bregman pinch hit for Masataka Yoshida against lefty Drew Pomeranz. He connected on an 83.4 mph knuckle-curve and sent it 402 feet to left field.

Chicago Cubs executive Jed Hoyer spoke out about a shocking move that shipped a franchise slugger out of town.

Oddly, he lost that particular game 6-1, which is the same score by which the Red Sox defeated the Cubs Sunday at Wrigley Field. This game featured a rare twin bullpen meltdown, with Ryan Pressly and Drew Pomeranz both serving up home run balls.

Abreu missed a 93.5 mph sinker below the strike zone from Cubs reliever Ryan Pressly on his first-pitch bunt attempt. He then ripped the next pitch into the right field bleachers to give Boston its first lead of the three-game series after 24 innings tied or trailing.