Cubs use 6 pitchers to shut down Padres, earn NLDS berth

Michael Busch homered to cap a three-hit performance, helping the host Chicago Cubs advance to the National League Division Series with a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday.
Chicago secured a 2-1 victory in the best-of-three NL wild-card series, paving the way for a matchup against the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. Game 1 of the best-of-five series is set for Saturday in Milwaukee.
Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered an RBI single in the second inning to highlight his own three-hit outing.
Dansby Swanson worked a bases-loaded walk later in the second and turned in several stellar defensive plays for the Cubs, who rebounded from a 3-0 setback on Wednesday.
“Takes me back to my childhood,” Swanson said on ESPN.

“I love this game, I love to compete. I love my teammates.

It’s an incredible group of men and I couldn’t be more proud to be here.”
Chicago had 13 hits Thursday after totaling just 10 in the previous two games.
Daniel Palencia  allowed two hits in 1 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his second win of the series. He struck out two batters without surrendering a hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the Cubs’ 3-1 victory in Game 1 on Tuesday.
Drew Pomeranz retired all three batters he faced in the seventh inning and Brad Keller worked the eighth before allowing a lead-off homer to Jackson Merrill in the ninth.