TURNING POINT
After Khalil Greene tied the game with a three-run homer in the fourth, starting pitcher Shawn Estes hit a two-out single to left, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored the decisive run on Jody Gerut's double through the gap in left-center.
KEY FACTORS
Defense: The Cubs were leading 3-0 and had the leadoff runner on first in the third when Derrek Lee hit a smash to Greene's right. The shortstop made a diving stop and, from his knees, forced Ryan Theriot at second with a sidearm throw. Aramis Ramirez then grounded to Greene, who started an inning-ending double play.
Pitching: Estes, making his first major league start since April 5, 2006, battled the wind and the rain to hold the Cubs to three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings and pick up the 100th victory of his career.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Khalil Greene: In addition to his game-tying, three-run homer – his second clutch homer in three days – the shortstop killed Cubs rallies with a great stop on Lee's grounder and a leaping catch of a Reed Johnson liner in the fourth.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Which is the tougher ballpark to hit in, Wrigley Field when the wind is blowing in or Petco Park?
“Petco Park,” said Brian Giles.
“Even when the wind is blowing in at Wrigley Field, you can cut through it with a line drive that gets to the gaps.
“Outfielders play so deep at Petco Park, 20 feet deeper than normal parks, that you can't get a line drive to the gap.”
WHO'S HOT
Cla Meredith: In relief of Estes, the submarining sinker-baller gets five straight ground-ball outs in a span of 12 pitches. He has not allowed a run while allowing only three hits and one walk over his last nine outings (8 2/3 innings).
Edgar Gonzalez: Goes 2-for-4 in his first major league start.
Alfonso Soriano: Homers in a second straight game against the Padres and is 8-for-14 over the past four games.
WHO'S NOT
Kosuke Fukudome: The outfielder who chose the Cubs over the Padres goes 0-for-4 and doesn't get the ball out of the infield.
– BILL CENTER
BY THE NUMBERS
1 Time this season the Padres have rallied from a deficit of more than two runs to win a game.
3 Wins in four games for the Padres for only the third time this season and the first time since April 11-15.
45 Game-opening homers for Alfonso Soriano, moving him into third place on the all-time list behind Rickey Henderson (81) and Craig Biggio (55).
77 Homers by Khalil Greene, tying him with Cito Gaston for 12th on the Padres' career list.
