1969: Cubs Rally Late, Hand Padres Eighth Straight Loss
Fri, Aug 3, 2007
by Geoff Young
August 3, 1969, Chicago: Cubs 4, Padres 3 (box score)
The Padres faced their former teammate, Dick Selma, in the finale at Chicago. Joe Niekro, for whom Selma was traded, got the call for San Diego.
The Cubs scored first. In the second inning, they parlayed three straight one-out singles into a 1-0 lead.
The Padres tied the game two innings later on doubles by Nate Colbert and Al Ferrara. In the bottom of the fourth, Chicago had a golden opportunity but couldn’t score. With the bases loaded and one out, Jim Hickman bounced into a 6-4-3 double play to end the frame.
San Diego took the lead in the sixth. Colbert walked to start the inning. After Selma fanned Ferrara, Cito Gaston stepped to the plate and drove a homer to left, pushing the Padres ahead, 3-1.
The visitors held their lead until the eighth. Then, with two on and one out, Niekro served up a home run to Billy Williams, putting the Cubs back on top, 4-3.
Phil Regan came on in the ninth to retire the Padres in order and seal the victory for Chicago in front of 32,566. The Padres had dropped their second straight series and eighth straight game; their record had fallen to 34-74 on the season.
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