Eight in a row! Cubs hang on to beat Padres |
Ben Zobrist had four hits and two RBIs, and the Cubs held on late to beat San Diego 8-7 on Tuesday night to extend its winning streak to eight games. Chicago improved to MLB-best 25-6 on the season which its best start since 1907.
Addison Russell's two-run RBI double in the seventh gave the Cubs a comfortable lead at 8-3. However, the Padres would come roaring back as they loaded the bases in the eighth, and Alex Dickerson hit a pinch-hit grand slam off of Adam Warren to close the margin to one. The grand slam was the first career homer for Dickerson. Hector Rondon was called on to come in the ninth inning to save the game for Chicago, and Rondon pitched a perfect inning for his seventh save of the season. Chicago jumped on San Diego early, scoring one run in the second on an RBI double by Russell. In the third, the Cubs added four runs on a two-run double by Kris Bryant, an RBI single by Zobrist and a sac fly by David Ross. San Diego got on the board in the fourth with Melvin Upton Jr's solo homer. Chicago responded in the bottom of the inning with Zobrist's second RBI single. Zobrist was 4-4 in the game with two runs and two RBIs which gave the reigning National League player of the Week 17 RBIs in his last eight games. Despite the close game, the Cubs have still outscored their opponents by 103 runs which is the highest in MLB and second highest by any team since 1900. The Cubs are also the only MLB team with four 20-RBI players - Anthony Rizzo (28) , Zobrist (27), Bryant (22), and Russell (21). Lester (4-1, 1.96) earned the win with six innings pitched, giving up four hits and three earned runs while striking out four. Padres starter Cesar Vargas (0-2, 3.54) gave up 10 hits and six earned runs in the loss. Vargas had only given two runs in his previous three starts. Chicago and San Diego will play a doubleheader on Wednesday - RHP Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.10) vs. RHP Colin Rea (3-1, 3.82) at 12:05 CT and RHP John Lackey (4-1, 4.02) vs. LHP Drew Pomeranz (3-3, 2.12) at 7:05 p.m. CT
