Cubs 3, Padres 2
SAN DIEGO -- Darwin Barney homered and drove in two runs as the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Saturday night before an announced crowd of 30,870 at Petco Park.
The win allowed the Cubs (55-74) to end a four-game losing streak and bounce back from Friday night's debacle when they blew a six-run lead and allowed the Padres (58-71) to rally for an 8-6 win.
Barney's RBI double in the seventh inning scored Darnell McDonald, who had walked, to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. With two outs, former Padre Anthony Rizzo singled home Barney against reliever Nick Vincent to make it 3-1.
The Padres loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth after pinch-hitter Mark Kotsay walked, Will Venable singled and Alexi Amarista reached on a bunt. Yonder Alonso's sacrifice fly scored Kotsay to cut the Cubs' lead to 3-2, but Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija induced Jedd Gyorko to fly out to left and then struck out Logan Forsythe after issuing an intentional walk to Chase Headley.
Samardzija, who was coming off a complete-game victory over the Washington Nationals, worked eight innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. Samardzija (8-11) struck out seven and walked two (one intentional).
Kevin Gregg retired the side in order in the ninth for his 26th save.
Hot-hitting Will Venable, who went 3-for-4, homered for the Padres.
Padres starter Eric Stults (8-11) allowed three runs and six hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 6 1/3 innings.
Barney drove an 0-2 change-up from Stults over the left field wall for a 1-0 Cubs lead with one out in the fifth.
Venable added to his career high in homers with his 19th, lining a 2-2 Samardzija slider into the bleachers in right for a 1-1 tie with one out in the sixth.
NOTES: Padres RHP Edinson Volquez was designated for assignment. Volquez was 9-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 142 1/3 innings this season. He was shelled Friday night, lasting just 2/3 of an inning and giving up six runs (five earned) against the Cubs. RHP Brad Brach was recalled from Triple-A Tucson. ... Cubs C Welington Castillo will return to the lineup Sunday. Castillo has missed the last three games with bruised ribs. ... San Diego OF/1B Kyle Blanks will begin a rehab assignment on Sunday with Triple-A Tucson. Blanks has been on the disabled list since July 12 with tendinitis in his left Achilles'. ... Padres RHP Andrew Cashner (8-8, 3.74) will face Cubs LHP Chris Rusin (2-3, 3.08) in the series finale on Sunday.
