Taillon, Swanson lead Cubs to a 2-1 win over Padres

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Jameson Taillon pitched successfully into the sixth inning, Dansby Swanson homered amongst his three hits, and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Friday night time within the opener of a four-game collection.

“That is the best I have seen him I think since spring training – on the attack,” Cubs supervisor David Ross mentioned of Taillon. “I thought he did spectacular – it is as good as I’ve seen him.”

Taillon (1-3), who got here in winless over his earlier eight begins with an 8.04 ERA, stored the Padres batters off-balance twice by way of their lineup and earned the win. He gave up three hits and one run in a season-high 5 2/3 innings.

“Been grinding, working really hard with everyone behind the scenes. It is nice to get the results,” Taillon mentioned. “I haven’t felt like a huge part of what we are doing yet just because I haven’t been pulling my weight, so it is nice to contribute and be part of a win.”

Padres starter Michael Wacha (5-2) struggled with management, issuing 5 walks in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs and three hits whereas placing out eight.

Chicago took the lead with a fielder’s selection floor ball by Ian Happ to attain Nico Hoerner from third within the third inning. Swanson hit a solo homer to left off Wacha to make it 2-0 within the fifth.

“I put a really good swing on it. It barely got out, but they all count,” Swanson mentioned. “I really didn’t know (if it was gone), and I honestly kept running and sooner or later I found out it was a homer,”

San Diego lastly broke by way of in opposition to Taillon within the sixth after Rougned Odor (2 for 3) led off with a double and scored Fernando Tatis Jr.’s gradual infield dribbler hugging the third-base line. Odor left the sport after a single within the eighth with a left groin pressure.

“It doesn’t feel like it is severe with what I’m told afterwards,” San Diego supervisor Bob Melvin mentioned of Odor’s damage. “These things typically do take a little bit of time, but it’s not like he felt a pop so not sure what the timetable is going to be (for Odor’s return).”

Cubs reliever Adbert Alzolay quashed a Padres risk within the eighth. He got here in with no outs and runners at first and second and bought Xander Bogaerts to hit right into a double play after which struck out Tatis.

“You know, we come in with a lot of momentum. We felt like offensively we’re starting to hit our stride. It didn’t happen today,” Melvin mentioned. “It continues to be a little bit frustrating.”

Mark Leiter Jr. completed up with a scoreless ninth for his third save.

“A real nice job by the back-end (of the bullpen),” Ross mentioned. “Adbert comes in to get the ground ball and then the big punch-out of Tatis and then Leiter goes through the heart of their order.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: LHP Justin Steele (left forearm pressure) is day-to-day. Steele underwent an MRI examination on Thursday, and the outcomes indicated it was a “mild” pressure.

Padres: Reinstated 3B Manny Machado from the 10-day IL previous to Friday night time’s recreation. The transfer comes 17 days after Machado sustained a fractured metacarpal in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch. … Placed DH Nelson Cruz on the 10-day IL (proper hamstring pressure). … Optioned OF José Azocar to Triple-A El Paso. … Selected the contract of IB Alfonso Rivas from El Paso. … C Luis Campusano (left thumb surgical procedure) was moved from the 10-day to the 60-day IL.

UP NEXT

Cubs LHP Drew Smyly (5-2, 3.45) will begin on Saturday night time in opposition to Padres LHP Yu Darvish (3-4, 4.61).

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