Jerry Hairston Jr. and Ryan Ludwick each had an RBI for the Padres, who had never before swept the Cubs in four games in the Windy City. San Diego did win a four-game series between the teams at Petco Park from May 5-8, 2006.
Latos (13-5) allowed two runs on five hits to improve to 8-1 over his last nine decisions. The right-hander also struck out a career-high 10 batters and walked one. Heath Bell recorded his 37th save of the season despite giving up a run in the ninth.
Aramis Ramirez, Marlon Byrd, and Blake DeWitt each drove in a run for the Cubs, who have lost seven of their last nine.
Starter Carlos Zambrano went six innings, giving up one run on four hits. Sean Marshall (6-4) allowed four runs on four hits to take the loss.
The Padres got on the board in the second. Yorvit Torrealba and Venable started the inning with consecutive walks and Chris Denorfia followed with a single to load the bases. Latos popped out for the first out. Hairston then grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate the first run of the game.
Chicago failed to advance a runner past first until the sixth. Kosuke Fukudome singled and scored on Byrd’s two-out double to left. Ramirez followed with an RBI two-bagger of his own to make it 2-1.
San Diego responded with four runs in the seventh to take a 5-2 lead. Marshall started the frame on the mound for the Cubs. Miguel Tejada walked and Adrian Gonzalez singled to put men on first and second. Ludwick drove in Tejada with a single. Chase Headley’s base hit loaded the bases then Venable knocked in a pair of runs two batters later with a single to center. Another run scored when Denorfia reached base on a fielder’s choice.
Chicago scored a run off Bell in the ninth. Alfonso Soriano hit a two-out single, moved to second on a defensive indifference, and scored on DeWitt’s base hit. Koyie Hill struck out to end the game.
Game Notes
The Padres have won 10 of their last 11 games…San Diego placed outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a fractured hamate bone in his right hand. To take his spot on the roster, the team recalled pitcher Ryan Webb from Triple-A Portland…The Cubs recalled outfielder Sam Fuld from Triple-A Iowa…Latos improved to 9-3 in 15 road starts this season.