Friedrich gets eighth straight loss as Pads fall to Cubs 5-3

Since June 1, they’re the second-best in the league (5.26 runs per game), after having trouble plating runs at Petco Park earlier in the season (2.96 rpg).

Jorge Soler and Addison Russell also drove in runs for the Cubs as they scored at least three runs for the 23rd consecutive game, second this season only to the Baltimore Orioles (28). “But everyone is cheering their butt off for Jason”. That’s a pace for 832 runs for the season, which would be the most since 2008 (855) and just the third time since 1937 that any Cubs team would post 800 or more runs in a season (806 in 1970 is the other). “The speed differential is what allows me to keep those guys off balance”. “That dugout was more than ecstatic for him to make that good swing”.

“The innings thing is a big concern for us right now”, Padres manager Andy Green said. “Those are the kinds of things that can get his confidence going again, and going in the right direction”. In fact, Kyle Hendricks is hard at work crafting a Cy Young-worthy campaign.

Despite scoring just four runs in the first two games of the series, the San Diego Padres have kicked up their scoring at home recently.

PITTSBURGH – Doug Fister pitched seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball, Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run homer and Houston beat Pittsburgh.

“You don’t see the velocity and don’t think there’s a strikeout in there, but the movement and the changeup provide the strikeout and his knowhow”, Maddon said.

“I just try to go pitch and do a good job”, he said. “That’s all I worry about”. I don’t care about numbers. And after he was done with yet another quality start (his 15th), the bullpen took over to nail down the win. “The main number for me is always 200 innings”.

The Cubs teed off on former teammate and Padres starter and loser Edwin Jackson (3-4) for three home runs and five runs in five innings.

Shortstop Russell homered in the second for the game’s first run, driving a 1-1 offering from Jackson 396 feet into the stands in left-center. He has added Atlanta, Miami and San Diego to the list since his release to up his total to 11.

Russell added his third home run in two days, and the struggling Heyward – recently benched to rest mentally – got his first since July 29.

Rizzo, who was traded by the Padres to the Cubs in 2012 for since-departed pitcher Andrew Cashner, followed with a double rocketed to left.

What’s better than catching a Cubs home run at Wrigley Field?

Two innings later, Bryant triggered a three-run rally by drawing an inning-opening walk.

Nelson (7-13) gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings.

Edwin Jackson was released by the Cubs last season, but he is still getting paid by the club as he continues to his (unofficial) quest to play for all 30 Major League Baseball teams. “I was on a roll from there”. “One pitch took it from being a respectable outing”.

Meanwhile, knowing that they might not get a lot of hits off Lester, the Padres tried to produce offense with their running game.

Arrieta found his groove after leadoff hitter Travis Jankowski was picked off third base by catcher Willson Contreras but that came only after the righty walked Jankowski on a full count. Singles by Bryant and Zobrist led off the fifth, and one out later they were wild-pitched to second and third.

After belting a home run to left field in the third inning, Polanco smashed his team-leading 19th off left-handed reliever Tony Sipp two innings later to give the Pirates a 6-0 lead through five.

Lester was lifted at 100 pitches after Alex Dickerson and Christian Bethancourt opened the seventh with singles.