Dylan Cease struck out 12 and combined with two relievers on a one-hitter, and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 on Wednesday.
Cease went seven innings in a triumphant return to Chicago after the White Sox dealt him to San Diego in March. He allowed the Cubs’ lone hit when he deflected Yan Gomes' comebacker and the ball ricocheted toward second baseman Xander Bogaerts, whose throw to first was late by a slim margin.
Cease (5-2) walked two and hit a batter while matching a career high with 113 pitches. The right-hander has a 2.19 ERA through eight starts.
“I think this is the best I've commanded the ball ever, really,” said Cease, who struggled last season after finishing second in the 2022 AL Cy Young Award vote. “I think I'm throwing it really well right now.”
Luis Arraez singled twice and scored twice, helping San Diego win for the sixth time in eight games.
Arraez has given the Padres the spark they envisioned at the top of the order since he was acquired in a trade with Miami. The two-time batting champion is 8 for 20 with five runs in five games for San Diego.
The Cubs were shut out for the second time this season. Wesneski (2-1) gave up three runs and seven hits, matching a career high, in six-plus innings. He exited after giving up a leadoff single to Ha-Seong Kim in the seventh.
Dansby Swanson was out of the lineup because of discomfort in his right knee. Counsell said the knee has been bothering him since a slide against Houston two weeks ago, and the Cubs opted to give him some extra rest with an off day on Thursday.
The Cubs open a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Friday, and neither team has announced its starter.
Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner, right, forces out San Diego Padres' Manny Machado at second base during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
