The Cubs’ losing streak hits six
World Series champions swept again, this time by streaking Padres
Rookie Franchy Cordero tripled in the eighth and scored on Yangervis Solarte’s fielder’s choice and the San Diego Padres beat visiting Chicago 2-1 Wednesday, the Cubs’ season-high sixth straight loss.
Luis Perdomo and two relievers combined to hold the struggling Cubs to three hits. The rebuilding Padres won their season-high fourth straight game and swept the Cubs for the first time since Aug. 6-8, 2012.
The defending World Series champion Cubs, who were swept at the Dodgers during the weekend, finished their first winless trip of at least six games since Aug. 3-8, 2012, when they also lost three at Los Angeles and three at San Diego.
Overall the Cubs have lost seven in a row on the road.
Astros pound Twins
George Springer reached base in all six plate appearances and hit two of Houston’s season-high six home runs to lead the Astros to their seventh straight victory, 17-6 over the hometown Minnesota Twins.
Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, Evan Gattis and Marwin Gonzalez also went deep for the Astros, who scored 40 runs in the three games to set a franchise record for runs in a series of any length. They had 19 hits on Wednesday and 37 in the series.
Brian Dozier, Eddie Rosario and Jason Castro homered for the Twins, who have lost four straight. Hector Santiago (4-5) gave up six runs on eight hits and walked three in six innings, three days after he was an emergency fill-in during the 15th inning of a loss to Tampa Bay.
Few watch Marlins
The Miami Marlins keep winning, and there’s plenty of room on the bandwagon.
Justin Bour hit two home runs, increasing his season total to 15, and the Marlins completed their first series sweep of the season by beating Philadelphia 10-2 before a sparse crowd in Miami.
Marcell Ozuna hit his 14th homer for the Marlins (21-30), who have won four in a row, their longest winning streak since last July. Dan Straily (4-3) struck out 10, allowed one earned run in 6 2/3 innings, and won his third start in a row.
There were few witnesses. Announced attendance was 15,197, lowest of the season in Miami, and a head count put the actual crowd at 1,590, perhaps the smallest in the five-year history of Marlins Park.
With the franchise for sale, the Marlins are on pace to finish last in the NL in attendance for the 12th time in the past 13 years. But lately they’re giving fans more to cheer about.
Miami swept three games against division rival Philadelphia for the first time since 2012.
The Phillies (17-34), off to their worst start since 1961, went 6-22 in May. That’s their fewest wins in a month since June 1997.
The Marlins, by contrast, finished the month strong after a stretch when they went 4-19.
Kluber comes off DL
Corey Kluber will make his first start for the Cleveland Indians since May 2 against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
Kluber was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained lower back May 3. The injury forced him to leave his last start against Detroit after the third inning. Kluber is 3-2 with a 5.06 ERA in six starts.
The right-hander was 18-9 with a 3.14 ERA last season and went 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA in the playoffs.
Kluber won the AL Cy Young Award in 2014 and finished third last season.