Padres Split Series With Cubs, End Homestand

May 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) watches a two-RBI double during the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

During my preview for this series, I said anything less than a series win would be disappointing. I was right. The Padres (23-28) finished up an underwhelming series with the Chicago Cubs (18-30) by winning the finale 4-3, splitting the 4-game set. There were a lot of ups and downs in this series, including a major breakout on Friday when the Padres scored 11 runs on 12 hits but getting completely shut down the next day by Travis Wood.

Besides a 5-run, 6-hit outing by Stults, who couldn’t finish 5 innings for the fourth time this year, the Padres starting pitching was good considering the recent outbreak of injuries. Tim Stauffer pitched 5 innings of shutout ball, striking out 5 in the 11-1 rout Friday.

Ian Kennedy pitched well Sunday, striking out six in 6 innings and getting his 3rd win of the year. Billy Buckner was called up for a spot start and performed admirably given the circumstances. The pitching staff has been hit hard this past week, losing Andrew Cashner and Robbie Erlin to the DL.

The offense was spotty at best. Friday’s explosion was very encouraging. However, as a team the Padres hit .214 in the series. They scattered 9 extra base hits during the 4 games, four of them home runs. The offensive player of the series was Chase Headley, who was 3 for 10 with a double and 4 RBI in the final 3 games. Carlos Quentin had 2 very key at-bats, both leading to runs. He had a pinch hit 2-run home run Saturday night and another pinch hit RBI on Sunday, singling in the 6th.

Though it’s tough to see the Padres split a series they should have won, needing two spot starts in one series is one reason why the Padres couldn’t pull it out. The bats came alive again Sunday, at least for an inning. This is good momentum heading into the Arizona desert this coming week.