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Homers spark Cubs to rout of Padres

Jun 4, 2008 - 6:31 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Jason Marquis pitched five effective innings and the Chicago Cubs used three home runs to extend their winning streak to nine games with a 9-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

The streak is Chicago's longest since winning 12 in a row from May 19-June 2, 2001.

Marquis (3-3) allowed three runs on four hits in picking up his first road victory of the season. Michael Wuertz and Scott Eyre combined to hold San Diego scoreless for three frames before Kevin Hart surrendered three runs in the eighth to pull San Diego within 9-6.

"We've got some guys swinging hot bats with men on base and coming through," right fielder Mark DeRosa said. "We never feel like we're out of a game. I think it just shows you how deep our lineup can be. It's 25 guys coming through right now. It's a fun clubhouse and fun atmosphere the way everybody is contributing."

Bobby Howry got the final two outs of the eighth before Kerry Wood worked around a leadoff double in the ninth to convert his 16th save in 20 chances.

"(Howry) gets two big, big, big outs with the bases loaded and the meat of their lineup coming up," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "I've always said you'd rather win a little ugly than lose pretty, but we're winning ballgames. We're putting runs on the board an we're holding on."

The 29-year-old Marquis struggled with his control at times, walking five batters and striking out two, but kept the game close enough for Chicago to take the lead for good with a three-run sixth.

"I was out there fighting and trying to make pitches," Marquis said. "My teammates came through and picked me up. I feel great physically and mentally also, but I've just got to go back to making pitches and getting ahead of hitters early. It's just a fine line."

Geovany Soto's solo shot in the sixth against San Diego reliever Bryan Corey (1-1) broke a 3-3 tie, and two batters later, Mark DeRosa tacked on a two-run homer to help Chicago build a 6-3 advantage.

Alfonso Soriano hit his second homer in as many nights against Carlos Guevara in the seventh, a three-run shot that pushed the lead to 9-3.

"That's a good offensive team," catcher Michael Barrett said. "The last couple of nights, they've gotten to our starter and gotten to him in the fourth or fifth inning. That's a credit to the quality at-bats that they have, getting our pitch count up and then getting to our bullpen."

San Diego starter Wil Ledezma yielded three runs on three hits and left the game in the fifth as the Cubs battled back from a 3-1 deficit to tie it at 3-3. The 25-year-old Ledezma struck out three and walked five batters.

"(Ledezma) just loses his release point," Padres manager Bud Black said. "You can't deny the stuff, the velocity is there. But, the inconsistency gets him in a little trouble at times. He knows that he's got to clean that up."

Adrian Gonzalez and Khalil Greene drove in runs for the Padres, who have dropped three straight.