Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo extends hitting streak in victory

Anthony Rizzo extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games as the Chicago Cubs took home a series opener win against the San Diego Padres.

A pair of seventh-inning runs helped the Chicago Cubs take the series opener against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field Monday night by a 3-2 final.

Leading off the bottom of the seventh, catcher Willson Contreras stayed hot, hitting a solo shot to tie things up. With a man at first, rookie outfielder Albert Almora Jr. dropped a ball down the left-field line, allowing Javier Baez to score the eventual winning tally.

The two-run frame got Chicago starter Jon Lester off the hook. The veteran pitched effectively, allowing just two earned in six innings of work. He struck out seven and walked just one in the no-decision.

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San Diego (28-43) got to Lester early, hitting a pair of solo shots in the first three innings. First, Jose Pirela hit one to dead-center, his third on the year. Then, Yangervis Solarte connected on his 10th of the year, giving the Padres an early 2-0 edge.

Chicago (35-34) got one back in the bottom of the third via an Anthony Rizzo sacrifice fly. The Cubs first baseman also led off the game with a bunt base hit, maintaining his perfect mark leading off ballgames.

With his bunt single, Rizzo extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games. The first baseman continues to provide a spark atop the Cubs’ lineup. He finished the night going 2-for-3 with a run batted in.

Wade Davis stranded the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second in a self-imposed stressful ninth, picking up his 14th save of the year.

What Stood Out

On the one-year anniversary of his first big-league homer, Contreras took a trip down memory lane with another long-ball.

Next: Yankees lose Torres for year with elbow injury

What’s Next

Chicago and San Diego continue their three-game set Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

Mike Montgomery (0-3, 2.56) takes the ball for the Cubs and Jhoulys Chacin (6-5, 5.10) opposes him for the Padres. First pitch is again at 7:05 p.m. CT.