Major League Baseball

Hendricks' 5-hitter, Bryant's 2-run homer carry Cubs over Padres

Published May. 21, 2015 11:45 p.m. ET

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Kyle Hendricks hadn't thrown a complete game or shutout in his two-year big league career. He didn't have a win yet this year.

That all changed Thursday night, when he dominated the San Diego Padres with a five-hitter that carried the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory. Kris Bryant, who starred at the University of San Diego, hit a two-run homer on the game's seventh pitch.

"I'm going to remember this one, definitely, for a long time," said Hendricks, who is from up the freeway in Mission Viejo. "It was just one of those days that finally clicked. I'm not going to say I needed it but I kind of did need it. I haven't been throwing very well. Thank God it finally clicked today."

The gem by Hendricks (1-1) included seven strikeouts and no walks. All the Padres' hits were singles. The only baserunner to advance into scoring position was Justin Upton, who stole second base with two outs in the fourth. Yangervis Solarte then flied out to center.

"I love that kind of pitcher," manager Joe Maddon said. "Guys like that can be really successful."

Hendricks came in with six no-decisions in seven starts, including one against San Diego at Wrigley Field on April 18. Even so, he left the game with the lead in four of his starts.

"I pride myself on going deep in games, so obviously I was not very happy with those first seven starts," Hendricks said.

"Of course we had a couple of home runs, but it was all about Kyle tonight," Maddon said. "When you pitch like that you win a lot of baseball games. He had command of himself, he had command of the game. It was really fun to watch."

Hendricks "just hit his spots," said Will Middlebrooks, who singled twice off the right-hander and was erased each time on a double play. "He's got that two-seamer that starts off the plate and comes back to the corner. He didn't miss his spot many times."

Bryant homered to straightaway center field on the seventh pitch by Odrisamer Despaigne (2-3). Dexter Fowler was aboard on a walk for Bryant's fifth homer.

Assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske "was telling me, `You don't leave San Diego without a home run," Bryant said. "It was a good one.

"I just kind of reacted. It was a good one to hit. I finally got a hanging curve ball. I like to hit those. Those are usually easier to get in the air."

Bryant made his big league debut on April 17 against the Padres at Wrigley Field.

Bryant won the Golden Spikes award at the University of Sand Diego in 2013, when his 31 homers were the most in a season since toned-down composite bats replaced aluminum bats in 2011. The Cubs took him with the second pick overall in the 2013 amateur draft.

Bryant's parents, Sue and Mike, made the trip from Las Vegas for all three games.

"Obviously it's a special place for me," Bryant said. "I have a lot of friends here, a lot of coaches that care about me, and I care about them. It's pretty cool to be playing in front of them again."

Bryant's parents, Sue and Mike, made the trip from Las Vegas for all three games.

Addison Russell homered leading off the seventh off Dale Thayer, his third.

Despaigne allowed two runs and six hits in six innings, struck out four and walked two.

HENDRICKS VS. PADRES

In his second big league start, on July 22, Hendricks beat San Diego 6-0 for his first victory. He threw seven innings of five-hit ball.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: RHP Brandon Morrow threw a bullpen session as he tries to work his way back from right shoulder inflammation that landed him on the disabled list. 

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