The Padres came all the way back from being down 7-3 after 2 innings to score the go-ahead run in the 9th inning, grinding their way to a gritty 8-7 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Sunday’s series finale.
Luis Arraez had 4 hits, Jackson Merrill homered and drove in 2 runs, the Pad-pen was absolutely stellar again, and the result was victory #8 on the season for the Padres. (8-2)
With runners on 1st and 2nd in the 9th, Manny Machado hit a grounder to shortstop that should have ended the inning. 2nd baseman Nico Hoerner’s throw to 1st got past Justin Turner, allowing Fernando Tatis Jr to score from 2nd with the go-ahead run.
Tatis was on base after grounding into what also would have been an easy double-play ball, just not with him running. Fernando beat out the relay to 1st, went to 2nd on Arraez’s single, then raced all the way home on the Cubs’ 2nd throwing error of the game.
Elias Diaz singled to start the inning. Brandon Lockrodge ran for him, and was forced out on Tatis’ ground ball.
Gavin Sheets drove in the tying run with 2 outs in the 8th.
Kyle Tucker homered and drove in three runs and Hoerner added 3 hits for the Cubs, who had their 5-game win streak snapped.
Closer Robert Suarez pitched a perfect 9th to pick up his 4th save.
The Padres bullpen- after Gillaspie- was sensational again- with Adrian Morrison, and Closer Robert Suarez combining to go 4 1/3 innings, giving up no runs on just 1 hit, and 2 walks allowed while striking out 7 batters.
Started Kyle Hart lasted just 2:3 of an inning, giving up 5 earned runs while walking 4 and allowing 2 hits.
The Cubs scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st. Hart (1-1) walked the 1st 2 hitters, Tucker singled, Justin Turner had a sac fly and Hoerner doubled to tie it.
Logan Gillaspie, called up from Triple-A El Paso before the game, replaced Hart and was called for 2 balks while pitching to Carson Kelly, scoring two runs.
Merrill crushed a 2-run shot off Brown in the 4th. The 2nd-year center fielder drove in his 100th career run today.
The Padres lost the 1st 2 games of this series after starting the season with 7 straight wins for the best start in franchise history.
***** ‘LIVE’ Instant Reaction from Jim “GRIES” Grieshaber
The Padres head to Sacramento, California, to play the homeless Oakland A’s in their series opener tomorrow night, with 1st pitch set for 7:05pm.
Your PADRES POSTCAST- hosted by Jim “GRIES” Grieshaber- will be here ‘LIVE’ right after the game, free as always, on The Locked On Podcast Network, your team, every day.
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