Zobrist then hit a two-run triple and scored on Soler’s sacrifice fly. In so doing they swept a series in Petco Park for just the second time in the park’s history (and first since 2004) and won the season series from the Padres for the first time since 2008.
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On the other side, Green hands the ball to Paul Clemens (2-2, 4.82). The Cubs have hit at least two homers in seven straight games, their longest streak since a six-game stretch from September 13-18, 2004.3. And after he was done with yet another quality start (his 15th), the bullpen took over to nail down the win.
The Cubs out-scored the Padres 16-7 in the three games as Cubs pitchers held the San Diego hitters to 16 hits.
Alex Dickerson was the next to try to get the runner home, but he also popped out to Bryant (-.075).
Chicago has now won 20 of its last 25 games, another impressive streak in a season if impressive streaks.
Darvish let a 5-2 lead slip away.
Two innings later, Bryant triggered a three-run rally by drawing an inning-opening walk. He was effective on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, working 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball.
“He was really good after the first three batters”, Padres manager Andy Green said. He’s 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA in four starts against the Padres.
Brad Boxberger (2-0) got the win with one inning of relief. In his last six games, he has 13 hits, five home runs, 13 RBI, and 10 runs.
Meanwhile, the Cubs powered their way to a 5-0 lead against Padres starter Christian Friedrich in 5 1/3 innings.
Adrian Gonzalez had three RBIs and has hits in 16 consecutive games.
For Pujols, the homer broke a tie with Mark McGwire on career list. The Padres were able to score three runs in the ninth to make the final score more respectable, but the Cubs were on them early.
“Nobody’s pitched better than him”.
Lester (14-4) limited the Padres to a run and five hits in six innings. The Cardinals went on to win for the seventh time in nine games.
Arrieta has four scoreless starts of at least eight innings this season, the most in the majors.
So when they laugh and jockey for position in the Sun-Times power rankings, that’s also part of the look toward October, a weeklong snapshot of their strength as they get closer to one of the toughest decisions Maddon’s staff and the front office will make: Who’s in that playoff rotation and how do they line up?
Gsellman, relieving injured starter Jonathon Niese with one out in the first inning, worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings as NY stopped St. Louis at Busch Stadium in a matchup of National League wild-card hopefuls.
The A’s took two of three games from the AL Central leaders. He stole second, but was out trying to steal third with one out.
Nick Buss hit his first major league home run for the Angels. Ken Giles closed for his fifth save.
PHOENIX – Matt Kemp hit an eighth-inning, bases-loaded double to drive in two runs, and a third run scored on an outfield error on the play, lifting Atlanta to a victory over Arizona at Chase Field.
The NL West leaders enjoyed their biggest home run splurge in 10 years.
Cabrera had his fifth four-hit game of the season and was a triple shy of the cycle. The Cubs defense turned three inning-ending double plays and catcher Willson Contreras picked a runner of third. The Twins have lost sixth straight.
Phillies 5, White Sox 3: Tommy Joseph and Cesar Hernandez homered to back Jerod Eickhoff, and struggling Philadelphia beat the White Sox in Chicago.
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Joseph and Hernandez each had two hits and went deep against James Shields (5-16).
