Written by John Jackson (AP) at YahooSports.com
Drew Pomeranz can’t explain his surprising start. He simply wants to keep it going.
Pomeranz tied a career high with 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings and Christian Bethancourt hit a long solo home run to give the San Diego Padres a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night and a sweep of a day-night doubleheader.
In the first game, Brett Wallace hit a three-run homer in San Diego’s four-run seventh inning, and the Padres stopped the Cubs’ eight-game win streak with a 7-4 victory.
Pomeranz (4-3) allowed just three hits and walked three in lowering his ERA to 1.80. No Chicago runner advanced past second base while the left-hander was on the mound.
”In pro ball, this is the best I’ve ever felt,” he said. ”I felt strong and I was almost getting better as the game went along. That’s a positive for me. Early in my career, I’d kind of burn out early and taper off.”
Brad Hand worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning, and Fernando Rodney got the final three outs for his 10th save in as many chances. He also picked up the save in Game 1.
The lack of offense for the Cubs wasted a strong start from John Lackey (4-2), who allowed just one run on three hits in eight innings.
”It was a great game,” Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. ”Johnny was outstanding. Their pitchers were good, too. They played well; they made the plays on defense.
”Give ’em credit. They beat us two games. They played well.”
The Cubs, who have the best record in the major leagues at 25-8, hadn’t lost consecutive games this season before Wednesday.
Chicago batters struck out 14 times in the game.
Lackey retired the first 14 batters before Bethancourt, who went 2 for 3, broke up the perfect game with a majestic blast over the left-field bleachers and onto to Waveland Avenue.
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