Chicago Cubs: Timely hits and solid pitching lead to sweep of Padres

Aug 24, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) pitches during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) pitches during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs used a big first inning to back Hendricks start in completing the sweep of the Padres.

In the first two games of the series, the Chicago Cubs (81-45) pounded out five home runs in back-to-back wins. The final game showed the Cubs can score in other ways as they defeated the San Diego Padres (53-74), 6-3.

The Cubs lead off the game with back-to-back doubles from Dexter Fowler and Kris Bryant, followed by a triple from Ben Zobrist. Left fielder Jorge Soler then pushed Zobrist across the plate with a sacrifice fly. Padres starter Paul Clemens (2-3, 5.06) held on to pitch 5 1/3 innings after the rough first but consequently suffered the loss.

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Taking the mound with a 3-0 lead, Kyle Hendricks (12-7, 2.19) gave up a double to leadoff batter Travis Jankowski but retired the next three batters. However, the Padres were able to score in the bottom of the second after Brett Wallace hit a sacrifice, scoring Ryan Schimpf who tripled. Then, in the third, Jankowski singled and scored after Myers tripled to deep center.

That was all Hendrick would give up to the Padres the rest of his night. He pitched a solid six innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. He would leave the game after six innings with a 5-3 lead. In the top of the sixth, Bryant and Zobrist scored on a ground ball by Addison Russell got past Luis Sardinas. Willson Contreras added another run in the seventh with a solo home run, the eighth of his rookie campaign.

The Padres would add one more run in the bottom of the eighth, as Schimpf hit a one out double to score Alex Dickerson. The bullpen held the lead, and Aroldis Champman saved the game with a strikeout of Jankowski.

Next: Chicago Cubs duplicate series opener performance in win over Padres

Chicago Cubs are now 36 games above .500 as a result of the sweep and have a day off tomorrow before heading to Los Angeles to face the NL West-leading Dodgers. Kyle Hendricks improves his CY Young campaign with his 12th win of the season.

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