Padres 9, Cubs 2
Will Venable hit his first career grand slam and the San Diego Padres beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 9-2 on Wednesday as both teams ended the season with identical 71-91 records.
Nick Hundley blasted a three-run homer in the third off Ryan Dempster (10-14), who allowed nine runs in 5 2/3 innings and lost his sixth straight decision.
After giving up a grand slam to the Pirates’ Neil Walker on opening day, Dempster allowed Venable’s grand slam with two outs in the sixth inning of the season’s final game.
Starlin Castro doubled in the eighth to extend his career-best run of reaching base to 40 straight games. The 21-year-old shortstop also became the youngest player to lead the National League in hits with 207.
Wade LeBlanc (5-6) gave up two runs over seven innings for the Padres, who finished last in the National League West despite winning eight of their last 12 games.