Back-to-back homers lift Cubs past Padres 3-1 in wild card opener

Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Tuesday in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series.

Chicago also got a perfect performance from its bullpen in the franchise’s first playoff win since the 2017 National League Championship Series. 

“All in all, a really good day for us,” Kelly said. “Having a chance to clinch tomorrow and move to the next round is all you can ask for.”

Suzuki opened the fifth inning with a 424-foot drive to left-center off Nick Pivetta, tying it at 1 and sending a charge through a towel-waving crowd of 39,114 on a picturesque day. Pivetta had retired 11 in a row before Suzuki extended his homer streak to five games going back to the regular season.

Kelly followed with a towering shot that drifted just over the wall in left-center. The catcher and Chicago native held his right arm in the air as he rounded first base.

It was the MLB postseason debut for both Suzuki and Kelly, who combined for the franchise’s first set of back-to-back homers in the playoffs since Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler went deep on Oct. 15, 2016, against the Dodgers.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is back at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon. Dylan Cease takes the mound for San Diego. Andrew Kittredge will start Game 2 for Chicago as an opener, likely followed by Shota Imanaga.



(AP Photo Erin Hooley)