Ben Brown battles command in Cubs’ 7-2 loss to Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Even as right-hander Ben Brown struggled with command from the onset of his start Wednesday against the Phillies, the Cubs needed him to cover innings.

In the Cubs’ 7-2 loss, he at least delivered 5⅔ innings. But it was a slog most of the way, as he allowed six runs and eight hits.

“Obviously I wasn’t where I wanted to be today,” Brown said, “but still grinded through some really hard stuff.”

As the Cubs’ starting pitching depth has been tested, Brown has had extra runway to work through the ups and downs of his second major-league season — after his first was shortened by injury.

His highs have been impressive: six scoreless innings against the Dodgers, Brewers and Reds; holding the Tigers to two runs in seven innings, opposite reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

His lows have generally followed a similar pattern, with Brown struggling to settle in and then facing a lineup for the third time through.

Wednesday, after two of his better outings of the year, was a little different. He faced seven batters in the first inning and allowed three runs. Then he surrendered a solo homer in the third and a two-run single in the fourth.

“It’s just execution,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Clearly he has the stuff to be successful in the league. But it’s a fine line. And if you’re not sharp, and if you’re giving hitters free pitches, and you’re not executing, it’s difficult to survive and to get through lineups without giving up runs.”

The Cubs didn’t offer much run support. They scored just once against left-hander Jesus Luzardo in six innings, as he bounced back from allowing 20 runs in his last two starts combined.

The Cubs lost two of three games in Philadelphia to end a 4-5 road trip that also included Washington and Detroit.

Crow-Armstrong out of the lineup

The Cubs were looking for the right time to give center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong a day off during the trip, Counsell said. They landed on Wednesday, a day game after a night game, with left-hander Luzardo starting for the Phillies.

In addition, Counsell said, “We’re going back home, and I want Pete to play at home, frankly.”

It marked Crow-Armstrong’s first time out of the starting lineup, 68 games into the season. The Cubs are in the midst of a stretch in which they’re scheduled to play 26 games in 27 days.

Hodge eying rehab game

Closer Porter Hodge, who landed on the 15-day injured list 3œ weeks ago with a strained oblique and had his return delayed by a left hip impingement, is set to pitch in his first rehab game Friday or Saturday with Triple-A Iowa. He’s expected to make multiple rehab outings before returning to the Cubs.