Zobrist, Cubs see win streak end vs. Padres

CHICAGO — Brett Wallace smacked a three-run homer in a four-run seventh-inning rally to lift the Padres to a 7-4 victory over the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon in the first game of a day-night doubleheader at Wrigley Field, snapping Chicago’s winning streak at eight games.

The Padres took a 2-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of a throwing error by third baseman Javier Baez that allowed one run to score and set up Matt Kemp’s RBI single. The Cubs opened a 4-2 lead, thanks to RBI hits by Addison Russell and Tim Federowicz in the fourth, but Baez made another throwing error in the seventh that led to another Padres run and helped set up Wallace’s blast off Pedro Strop.

“I knew I hit it pretty well, but you never know here with the weather,” said Wallace. “So I was just hoping it was going to be out or into the gap or off the wall or something. I wasn’t sure. I was hoping.”

The loss was the Cubs’ fourth at home in 16 games, and they have yet to lose back-to-back games this season. It’s the deepest Chicago has gone in a season without losing consecutive games since 1907.

“We hit some balls really good,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “The biggest little yard in North America got us.”

The early game on Wednesday was a makeup of Monday night’s game, which was postponed because of inclement weather.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDGreat Wall: Wallace’s homer served as a bit of redemption after he had committed a throwing error in each of the two previous innings. Still, since assuming the starting third-base job on May 2, Wallace has taken off at the plate. He’s hitting .280/.438/.640 over the past nine games.

“Offensively, you have to love his at-bats,” said Padres manager Andy Green. “They’re high quality. [Wallace] takes his walks. He’s got power. You love having him at the dish.” More >

Penmanship: Maddon was worried about overworking his bullpen in the two games, and starter Kyle Hendricks made things easier by …

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