Nico Hoerner’s two-run double snapped a sixth-inning tie and Pete Crow-Armstrong broke open the game with a three-run homer Tuesday night as the visiting Chicago Cubs stopped the San Diego Padres 8-3.
The game was tied 2-2 when Hoerner lined his two-bagger into right-center field, scoring Nicky Lopez and Crow-Armstrong. Both runs were charged to reliever Kyle Hart (0-1), who issued a pair of walks before being lifted for David Morgan.
After San Diego pulled within 4-3 in its half of the sixth on a two-out RBI single by Luis Campusano, Chicago blew it open with four runs in the seventh, all with two outs. Pinch hitter Alex Bregman poked a run-scoring single to right before Crow-Armstrong unloaded his second homer of the year over the center field wall.
Edward Cabrera (3-0) earned the win after lasting 5 2/3 innings and allowing three runs off six hits and a walk while striking out seven. Padres starter Walker Buehler pitched 4 2/3 innings, yielding three hits and two runs with three walks and four strikeouts.
Buehler got himself into second-inning trouble by issuing consecutive walks to Ian Happ and Michael Busch. Dansby Swanson, who left after the half-inning with a left glute cramp, cashed them in with a two-run double to the wall in left-center.
San Diego pulled a run back in its half of the second when Xander Bogaerts jacked his fifth homer of the year just inside the left field foul pole. The Padres tied the game in the fourth via Ty France’s RBI single that scored Bogaerts, who walked and stole second.
But the Padres simply couldn’t hold off the Cubs’ attack. Chicago finished with eight hits and got help from San Diego pitchers, who combined to walk six, toss three wild pitches and hit two. Bregman and Seiya Suzuki each collected two hits.
Padres manager Craig Stammen left the dugout in the eighth inning to catch a flight in order to attend a funeral. Bench coach Randy Knorr ran the team for the game’s remainder and will act as the manager for Wednesday’s series finale.
