Norris' 2-Run Double In 8th Lifts Padres Over Cubs, 4-3
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Derek Norris hit a two-run double with one out in the eighth and James Shields struck out 11 in seven innings to lead the San Diego Padres to a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
The Padres snapped a three-game losing streak in which they scored only six runs.
Although he got a no-decision, Shields reached double digits in strikeouts for the second time in five games. He held Chicago to two runs on six hits, including homers by Chris Coghlan and Dexter Fowler.
Coghlan also homered off closer Craig Kimbrel with two outs in the ninth, his sixth. It was his fourth career multihomer game.
With runners on the corners in the eighth, Norris doubled to left off Pedro Strop, who had just replaced James Russell (0-1).
Pinch-hitter Clint Barmes reached to open the inning when second baseman Addison Russell dropped his fly ball to shallow center for an error. Pinch-hitter Abraham Almonte beat out a bunt single before catcher Miguel Montero fielded Cory Spangenberg's bunt and threw out Almonte at second as Barmes reached third, bringing up Norris.
Joaquin Benoit (4-1) pitched a perfect eighth for the win. Kimbrel worked the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances.
The game marked the return of Cubs rookie slugger Kris Bryant, who starred at the University of San Diego before Chicago took him with the second pick in the June 2013 draft. Bryant made his big league debut against the Padres at Wrigley Field on April 17.
The Cubs went up 2-0 in the third on the homers by Coghlan and Fowler. Coghlan drove Shields' first pitch an estimated 420 feet into the sandy play area beyond the fence in right-center. With two outs, Fowler homered an estimated 399 feet into the Jack Daniel's party deck atop the wall in right. It was his fourth.
Chicago starter Jason Hammel was perfect through four before Bryant overthrew first baseman Anthony Rizzo for a two-base error after fielding Justin Upton's chopper to third. Yangervis Solarte followed with an RBI single.
San Diego tied it on Will Venable's two-out RBI single in the seventh.
Hammel struck out eight and walked none in seven innings while allowing two runs, none earned, and three hits.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: 1B-OF Wil Myers went on the 15-day DL with left wrist tendinitis. San Diego filled the roster spot by recalling RHP Cory Mazzoni from Triple-A El Paso.
UP NEXT
Cubs: LHP Tsuyoshi Wada will make his season debut after making six rehab starts with Triple-A Iowa. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 5 with a left groin strain.
Padres: RHP Tyson Ross (2-3, 3.94 ERA) is coming off a victory against Washington on Thursday, his first win since April 12.
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