Garland's 7 strong innings lead Padres over Cubs

[August 18, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Jon Garland pitched seven innings and Jerry Hairston Jr. scored the game's only run and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Tuesday night.

The NL West-leading Padres won for the eighth time in nine games and moved five games ahead of the second-place San Francisco Giants.

Heath Bell pitched a scoreless ninth for his major league-leading 36th save in 39 opportunities, but not before nearly allowing a game-ending two-run home run in the ninth to Blake DeWitt.

After allowing a leadoff single to Aramis Ramirez, Bell struck out the next two batters. DeWitt followed a long fly ball to right and Ryan Ludwick went into the ivy and ended the game with a leaping catch.

Garland (12-8) allowed four hits and pitched around three walks with three strikeouts. He retired the last 12 batters he faced. He surpassed his win total from last season. The right-hander has pitched 17 scoreless innings dating to three starts. He has only allowed five hits in his last 12 innings.

The Padres, who had just three hits in the game, improved to a season-high 24 games over .500 (71-47).

The Cubs have lost eight of its last nine home games.

Padres reliever Mike Adams pitched out of trouble in the eighth. With runners on first and second and one out, he induced Marlon Byrd to ground into a double play.

Cubs starter Randy Wells (5-11), who allowed six earned runs in his last start at San Francisco, rebounded to pitch seven strong innings. He allowed one run and three hits, struck out six and walked three and hit a batter. Hairston led off the game with a single and advanced to second on Miguel Tejada's walk. One out later, Wells hit Ludwick to load the bases. Hairston scored on Chase Headley's groundout.

NOTES: Cubs 1B Derrek Lee missed his second game with a bulging disc in his back. He is listed as day-to-day. ... Padres 2B David Eckstein is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Fort Wayne on Wednesday. He has been on the DL with a right calf strain since July 21.

[Associated Press]

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