Homer barrage undoes Paddack, Padres drop series opener to Cubs 7-2
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago, Illinois- Wrigley Field
The Padres arrived at Wrigley Field for the first time since July of 2019 after winning the series against the Houston Astros. After Joe Musgrove had to give the bullpen a desperately-needed day off and eat five innings on Saturday, he was bumped from his scheduled start on Memorial Day in Chicago.
Instead, Chris Paddack took the mound in the series opener against the Cubs. It was a blustery Memorial Day in Chicago, and the weather seemed optimal for several home runs. Unfortunately for Paddack, that proved to be true.
First, the Friars took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a throwing error by shortstop Javier Baez put Fernando Tatis Jr. at second. Wil Myers later singled him home.
That was all the Padres would be able to muster against the Cubs’ starter, the newly called-up Kohl Stewart.
Baez then atoned for that error with a two-run home run off of Paddack in the bottom of the third. That was just the beginning of the home run part for the Cubs. Patrick Wisdom homered to center in the fourth, extending Chicago’s lead to 3-1.
Kris Bryant continued his resurgent season back to MVP form with a home run of his own, a two-run shot in the fifth to give the Cubs a 5-1 lead. Paddack’s day was finished after 4 1/3 innings. He allowed six hits, three of them long-balls while striking out six and walking one. He was charged with five earned runs. After two straight solid, six-inning efforts, Paddack took a step back on Monday.
“I thought his stuff was good. There were some small misses but big misses. The pitch count got high on him…I thought the stuff was good. They did a better job than we did,” manager Jayce Tingler said after the game.
Pierce Johnson took over to finish the fifth. Tim Hill and Nabil Crismatt combined for three innings to finish the game, each allowing a home run.
Fernando Tatis Jr. had seen enough of the Cubs’ homers and decided to join in. In the top of the sixth, he launched an opposite-field home run that nearly sailed over the seats.
.@tatis_jr is now TIED for the league lead in homers. 👀 pic.twitter.com/dQDXIumJzo
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2021
It was his 16th round-tripper of the season, tying him for the league lead at the time. However, it was a solo shot, and the Padres still trailed 5-2.
The momentum was short-lived as Patrick Wisdom launched his second home run of the day, putting the Cubs back up by four.
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Two Cubs ended up having multi-homer days as Javier Baez also hit a second shot, a solo homer to center to give Chicago a 7-2 lead. In total, the Cubs swatted five home runs on the day.
San Diego was unable to mount a comeback against the Cubs’ bullpen, which tossed four innings and allowed just one run on three hits. The Cubs sealed the 7-2 victory with a solid bullpen effort.
The Padres dropped their second straight game for the first time since May 7-8. They look to bounce back against the Cubs Tuesday evening with Ryan Weathers taking the hill.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.