Padres Sweep Cubs, Advance to NL Division Series After 4-1 Game 2 Victory

Padres Finish Off Cubs With Another Dominant Performance

San Diego Padres complete a two game sweep of Chicago behind another dominant pitching performance and timely power. The San Diego Padres are moving on in the postseason. Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets blasted a two-run homer, five San Diego pitchers combined on a five-hitter, and the Padres swept the Chicago Cubs out of the National League Wild Card Series with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night at Petco Park.

San Diego followed up Tuesday’s stunning 8-0 victory in Game 1 with another impressive performance on the mound, completing the two game sweep and advancing to face the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series this weekend.

The Padres entered the postseason surging, and their momentum continued against a Cubs team that led the majors in runs and the National League in home runs during the regular season. Chicago managed just eight hits seven of them singles across 18 innings in the series.

Bogaerts and Salas Give Padres Early Lead

The Padres got on the board in the second inning after Ty France led off with a double against Chicago starter Kevin Gausman. Xander Bogaerts followed with an RBI single to put San Diego ahead 1-0.

Ethan Salas then delivered another important moment, driving in Jackson Merrill with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 2-0. Salas, the Padres’ prized 20-year-old prospect who was recalled Sept. 1, became the youngest player in major league history to catch a postseason game. He also became the youngest player to appear in a postseason game for San Diego.

The Cubs finally answered in the fourth inning. Seiya Suzuki singled and eventually scored when Nico Hoerner grounded a ball to center against Nick Pivetta, cutting the deficit to 2-1. San Diego’s pitching staff quickly regained control, however, as the Padres continued to shut down one of baseball’s most productive offenses.

Padres Bullpen Takes Control

After Pivetta’s outing ended, San Diego manager Mike Shildt turned to his bullpen, which once again delivered under postseason pressure. Bradley Rodríguez escaped a bases-loaded jam and continued into the fifth inning, earning the victory in his postseason debut.

The Padres’ pitching staff kept Chicago from generating another significant threat while San Diego’s offense added insurance. Sheets provided the biggest blow when he came off the bench and launched a two-run homer, giving the Padres a 4-1 advantage and putting them three outs from completing the sweep. San Diego’s bullpen protected the lead from there, setting the stage for closer Mason Miller in the ninth.

Hoerner Provides Cubs’ Final Threat

Hoerner accounted for half of Chicago’s hits in the series and delivered the Cubs’ only extra-base hit of the two games. With two outs in the ninth inning, Hoerner doubled off Miller to give Chicago one final opportunity. Miller, however, remained composed and closed out the victory, triggering another massive celebration at Petco Park.

The Cubs’ top hitters struggled throughout the series. Probable NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong and veteran slugger Alex Bregman finished a combined 0-for-15 with one walk and eight strikeouts over the two games. Bergman was playing just over a week after being hit in the face by a foul ball, but he was unable to provide the offensive spark Chicago needed.

Padres Move on to Face Brewers

The victory gives San Diego its fifth playoff series win in the past seven years and sends the Padres into the NL Division Series with considerable momentum.

The sweep also reversed last year’s result, when Chicago eliminated San Diego in three hard-fought Wild Card games at Wrigley Field. This time, the Padres dominated the matchup in front of two frenzied sellout crowds at Petco Park.

San Diego has now won 20 of its last 23 games dating to Sept. 5, and the Padres’ combination of explosive offense, dominant pitching and a deep bullpen has carried that surge directly into October.

The Cubs, meanwhile, saw their season end after an offense that produced runs and home runs at an elite level during the regular season managed only one run in each of the two Wild Card games. The Padres now turn their attention to Milwaukee, with a spot in the National League Championship Series on the line.