CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 31: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by third base coach Willie Harris #33 after his two-run home run during the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on May 31, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Chris Paddack allowed three homers, and the Cubs finished with five in a 7-2 win over the Padres on Memorial Day.
Coming off back-to-back starts where he allowed just one run over six innings, Paddack stumbled against a Chicago squad that has won 12 of its last 15 games. Javier Baez started a two-homer day by jumping on a changeup in the third inning, sending it 455 feet to give the home team a 2-1 cushion.
One inning later Paddack threw a first pitch fastball that leaked over the plate. Patrick Wisdom connected to make it a 3-1 game. In the fifth inning the third-year starter gave up a leadoff double, then two batters later University of San Diego product Kris Bryant sent a two-run shot over the right field fence.
Paddack's day ended after Bryant's bomb. The righty went 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. gave the Padres a brief jolt in an otherwise sleepy performance at the plate. The star shortstop hammered a solo homer in the fifth inning 423 feet to the stands in right center field. The blast was his 16th of the season, putting him in a tie for the Major League lead.
Wisdom homered for a second time off of Tim Hill. Baez's second long ball of the day came off of Nabil Crismatt in the seventh inning.
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