APTOPIX Cubs Padres Baseball

Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets blasted a two-run homer, five Padres pitchers combined on a five-hitter, and San Diego swept the Chicago Cubs out of the NL Wild Card Series with a 4-1 victory in Game 2. Xander Bogaerts drove in the first run for the surging Padres, who followed up their 8-0 victory in Tuesday’s opener with another dominant mound performance. The Cubs led the majors in runs and and the NL in homers this year, but they managed just eight hits over 18 innings against San Diego’s inspired staff. The Padres advanced to face the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers in an NL division series.

The San Diego Padres are playing their best baseball after sweeping the Chicago Cubs out of the NL Wild Card Series. The Padres have won 20 of their past 23 games as they prepare to face the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers in the division series. The Padres are hitting, pitching and executing at a level rarely seen in a city that has never celebrated a World Series title, and this streaking group is eager to keep chasing San Diego’s impossible dream. The Padres dominated the Cubs, but it was similar to what they've been doing regularly since they turned around their season in the second half.

All-Star closer Mason Miller has returned to the San Diego Padres’ bullpen for Game 4 of the NL Division Series after missing one playoff game on the paternity list. Miller says his wife, Jordan, gave birth to their son Tuesday night during the Padres’ Game 3 victory over Milwaukee. The Padres are hopeful that top setup man Adrian Morejon will be available after he was ruled out of Game 3 with shoulder discomfort. Manager Craig Stammen also said Michael King is available to pitch in Game 4 after throwing 14 innings over the Padres' first five playoff games.