Padres vs Cubs Recap: Cubs Rally to Edge San Diego 3-2

The Chicago Cubs hosted the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, June 30. This was the middle game of a three-game series. San Diego came in riding a three-game losing streak and sat at 43-40. Chicago was hot—they'd won three straight and stood at 47-38. The Cubs had been playing great baseball, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. Both teams knew this was a crucial moment as the season reached its halfway point. The Padres' pitching staff, led by closer Mason Miller, would need to be sharp. Chicago's lineup was deep and dangerous. You could feel the intensity in the air as these two contenders battled for playoff position.

San Diego got on the board first in the third inning. Xander Bogaerts worked his way onto base, and Fernando Tatis Jr. grounded into a fielder's choice. Bogaerts raced home and the Padres led 1-0. But Chicago answered hard in the fourth inning. Miguel Andujar had been swinging the bat well, and when Bogaerts doubled down the left field line, Andujar scored easily. Now it was 2-0 Padres. The Cubs refused to stay quiet. Michael Conforto smacked a single to right field, and Seiya Suzuki crossed home plate. The score was tied 2-1. Then in the fifth, Suzuki lifted a sacrifice fly to center. Dansby Swanson tagged up and scored. Cubs led 2-2 then 3-2 after scoring again. The game had turned on a dime.

The game stayed tight heading into the ninth inning. San Diego's closer Mason Miller took the mound, still strong and reliable. But Chicago wasn't done fighting. Seiya Suzuki stepped up to the plate with runners in scoring position. Miller threw a slider on his second pitch. Suzuki made contact and singled sharply to left field. Pete Crow-Armstrong raced home from second base. The Cubs had scored the go-ahead run. Chicago held on and won 3-2. San Diego dropped to 43-41 while Chicago improved to 48-38. The Padres' three-game losing streak continued, and they were now one game worse. The Cubs' winning ways kept rolling—they'd won four straight now. Wrigley Field erupted as the Cubs celebrated their comeback victory.