A rare stumble from Mason Miller, a grand slam, and offensive fireworks decided the San Diego Padres' victory over the Cubs.
The San Diego Padres returned from a two-game series in Mexico City to begin a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park on Monday night.
Randy Vasquez got the start for San Diego with Matthew Boyd taking the mound for Chicago.
The Padres got off to a strong start with a three-run first inning. Jackson Merrill had an RBI single, and then Ty France hit a two-run double to make it 3-0 going into the second inning.
Seiya Suzuki's hot streak continued with a solo home run in the second inning, making it his fifth homer in the last seven games.
The Cubs took a 5-3 lead in the third as Moises Ballesteros hit his first career grand slam.
The Padres then clawed back into the game slowly and slowly.
Miguel Andujar drove in Manny Machado with a fielder's choice in the third, and Nick Castellanos' two-run single in the fifth gave San Diego a 6-5 lead.
Ty France's hot streak continue as he hit a two-run triple in the seventh inning.
Gavin Sheets gave the Padres some insurance with a solo home run to right field in the eighth inning.
And, Mason Miller and his scoreless streak entered the game in the ninth with a four-run lead.
However, in an odd turn of events, Miller gave up three straight singles to start off the inning as Matt Shaw, Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong each had a single.
Nico Hoerner than drove in a run on a fielder's choice, which marked the first run Miller had allowed since August of last season.
Another run scored on a wild pitch, so it was a rare showing by Miller to allow a run and hits, although it was only a matter of time.
Vasquez finished with five innings, five hits and five runs, so he was able to sneak out the win despite giving up a grand slam.
Some Notes
Jake Cronenworth, who has struggled, didn't play on Monday as Fernando Tatis Jr. started at second base, Ty France started at first base and Nick Castellanos got the start in right field.
The top of the ninth involved some controversy with a base hit that appeared to be foul.
It sure looked foul, and another angle shows that it was foul.
Ty France drove in four runs, and he has six RBI in the last two games.
The Padres will start Walker Buehler on Tuesday, as the Cubs will throw out former Miami Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera.