Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Anthony Rizzo clubbed two home runs to set a new single-season career high and Kyle Hendricks picked up his first major league win as the Chicago Cubs blanked the San Diego Padres, 6-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
Hendricks (1-0), who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to make his second big league start, held the Padres to five hits over seven innings. He struck out five and walked three.
"Definitely the best day of my life," Hendricks said. "First major league win, it's what you work for since you were a little kid playing T-ball."
Justin Ruggiano had two RBI and Arismendy Alcantara also homered for the Cubs, who snapped a five-game losing streak.
San Diego starter Eric Stults (3-12) matched Minnesota's Kevin Correia for the most losses in the majors after allowing three runs on six hits in five innings.
The Padres have dropped four of their last six.
Chicago quickly loaded the bases thanks to two walks and a double against Stults, who limited the damage in the first inning to a Ruggiano sacrifice fly.
Rizzo made it 2-0 when he crushed Stults' first offering in the third to deep right field. It was his 24th home run of the season, giving him a new personal best.
Chicago extended its lead in the fifth as Starlin Castro hit a two-out double and scored on a Ruggiano base hit.
The Padres had two aboard for the third time in the game in the sixth, but the Cubs turned their third inning-ending double play.
Chicago made the game a rout with a three-run seventh against Blaine Boyer. Alcantara and Rizzo hit back-to-back homers, and Welington Castillo added an RBI double.
"He's a talent. He's a good player. They're giving him his at-bats and he's producing," Padres manager Bud Black said about Rizzo.
Game Notes
Rizzo had 23 homers in 160 games last season ... The Padres swung a trade with the New York Yankees before the game, acquiring infielder Yangervis Solarte and pitcher Rafael De Paula in exchange for third baseman Chase Headley and cash considerations ... In addition to calling up Hendricks, the Cubs activated infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio (strained right oblique) from the 15-day disabled list, designated infielder Darwin Barney for assignment and optioned pitcher Zac Rosscup to Iowa ... The teams split four games in San Diego from May 22-25.
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