PHILADELPHIA -- When the Cubs signed Marcus Stroman to a three-year, $71 million deal last offseason, they did so with visions of the right-hander dueling the top pitchers in the National League every fifth day -- and he, in his own words, was "coming here to win."

Though it hasn't happened nearly as frequently as either side had hoped entering the year, Saturday night provided the ideal image for both sides. Stroman went toe-to-toe with Phillies ace Zack Wheeler for six-plus innings before the Cubs erupted in the 10th inning for a 6-2 win at Citizens Bank Park.

Even with the victory, the Cubs improved to just 3-9 in Stroman's 12 starts this season. That includes a 1-2 mark since his July 9 return from right shoulder inflammation, despite him posting a 1.26 ERA in that span.

“He just found his sinker,” manager David Ross said. “I feel like his sinker has shown up so much better since he’s come back. … I think that’s where his success is going to lie -- in him establishing that, feeling that, finding that, being able to execute that. Everything is going to play off that.”

Making Stroman’s stretch even more impressive is the fact that he returned to an absolute gauntlet.

First, he took on the Dodgers -- the highest-scoring offense in the NL -- while squaring off with NL All-Star starter Clayton Kershaw. Stroman held Los Angeles scoreless over four innings in an eventual 4-2 loss. Next up, in a meeting with the NL East-leading Mets and Taijuan Walker (2.55 ERA), Stroman allowed just one run off one hit -- but the Cubs dropped a 2-1 decision in 11 innings.

With pitch-limit restrictions fully lifted on Saturday, Stroman breezed through the first six innings against the Phillies. He had allowed just three hits (all singles) while striking out five, but Darick Hall's leadoff double in the seventh followed by a J.T. Realmuto game-tying single promptly ended Stroman's night.

It also ended any chance at Stroman picking up his first win since May 24, though his pitchers' duel opposite Wheeler still put Chicago in prime position to win its second straight game to start the season's second half.

"You need front-of-the-line guys to go out there and compete against the other front-of-the-line guys and keep you in ballgames," said Ross. "Stro was in cruise control until we took him out of there. I thought he was very much in control, nice outing for him."

Both Stroman and the Cubs are hoping to make winning a more consistent occurrence in what has been an up-and-down debut season for the righty. He had a 6.98 ERA in four April starts, but rebounded with a 1.50 ERA in four May outings. Stroman then gave up nine earned runs over just four innings in his lone June start before landing on the IL.

Fully healthy, Stroman has allowed just two runs over 14 1/3 innings while racking up 14 strikeouts in three July appearances.

"I feel like pitching is definitely routine-based, so once you get in a routine and into a flow, you kind of go from there," Stroman said. "Like you said, I've kind of had abrupt things come up and kind of force me out of my routine. But I feel great, my arm feels great, and mechanically, I'm starting to feel better and better."

And he's doing it all against postseason contenders.

"Success comes, in my mind, with good starting pitching," Ross said. "If you establish yourself, you're in every ballgame every single night. You find a way to win offensively, but starting pitching -- the good teams hold it down from jump street consistently.

"Marcus has the ability to do that for us."