CHICAGO (Interstat) — Colin Rea continued his dominant start to the season, pitching into the seventh inning, and Dansby Swanson delivered a decisive three-run homer as the Chicago Cubs extended their winning streak to six games with a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night at Wrigley Field.

A crowd of 27,798 watched the Cubs tie Atlanta for the majors’ longest active win streak, outscoring opponents 44-14 during this run, their longest since a six-game streak from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1, 2024. The victory improved Chicago to 13-9, while Philadelphia fell to 8-14.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the second inning, turning a tight contest into a comfortable Cubs lead. After scratching across a run on a double play in the top of the frame to tie the game, the Cubs’ offense erupted against Phillies ace Aaron Nola. Ian Happ and rookie Moisés Ballesteros led off with sharp singles, and Michael Conforto worked a walk to load the bases with no outs. Miguel Amaya then grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, which plated Happ but also cleared the bases, leaving a runner on third with two outs.

Nola nearly escaped further damage after walking Pete Crow-Armstrong, but Swanson made him pay. On a 1-1 pitch, the Cubs shortstay launched a towering fly ball to center field for a three-run homer, his fifth of the season, giving Chicago a 4-1 lead and all the offense they would need.

Rea (3-0) was the story on the mound, efficiently managing the Phillies’ lineup over 6 2/3 strong innings. He allowed one run on six hits, striking out five without issuing a walk. The only blemish was a two-out RBI double by Justin Crawford in the fourth inning that scored Bryson Stott. Rea has now won three consecutive starts, posting a 2.50 ERA over 18 innings in that span.

Nola (1-2) struggled with his command and the big inning, lasting just 4 1/3 innings. He was charged with five runs on six hits and three walks, striking out five. The Swanson homer accounted for the bulk of the damage, sinking the Phillies early.

The Cubs added an insurance run in the third. Michael Busch singled, Alex Bregman doubled him to third, and Conforto brought him home with a sacrifice fly to center, making it 5-1.

From there, Chicago’s bullpen sealed the win. Hoby Milner retired all four batters he faced, and Corbin Martin pitched a perfect ninth. Philadelphia’s relievers, notably Chase Shugart with two scoreless innings, kept the game within reach, but the Phillies’ offense mustered little against Rea and the Cubs’ relievers. Philadelphia went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.

Bregman led the Cubs’ eight-hit attack with a pair of doubles, while Crawford had two of Philadelphia’s six hits, including his RBI double.

The loss extended a difficult stretch for the Phillies, who have dropped four straight and nine of their last twelve. They will look to snap the skid Tuesday night in the second game of this four-game series. The Cubs, riding their momentum, will aim for a seventh consecutive win, a feat they have not accomplished since the 2021 season.

According to pregame projections, Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 7-2 Cubs victory, while its ELO system gave Chicago a 54.7% chance to win. The Phillies had been installed as a -1.5 run favorite on the betting line. The combined total of six runs fell under the over/under line of 8.