Carson Kelly homers as the Cubs beat the Padres 7-1 for their 5th straight win

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Chicago Cubs’ Carson Kelly (15) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Cubs’ Carson Kelly, right, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw (6) celebrate Kelly’s three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Cubs’ Dansby Swanson (7) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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San Diego Padres pitcher Omar Cruz (60) throws during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (27) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Cubs’ Michael Busch (29) runs the bases for a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Cubs’ Michael Busch (29) slides into second base for a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) jumps but can’t tag out Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner (2) as he steals second during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

By JAY COHEN

CHICAGO (AP) — Carson Kelly homered and drove in four runs, and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 7-1 on Saturday for their fifth consecutive win.

Dansby Swanson also went deep as Chicago improved to 7-2 since it dropped its first two games in Tokyo against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nico Hoerner had two hits and drove in a run.

Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (1-0) pitched six innings of five-hit ball in his first career start at Wrigley Field. He was struck by Jackson Merrill’s comebacker on the final out of the sixth, but he said after the game that he was fine.

It was San Diego’s second straight loss after opening the season with seven consecutive victories.

The Padres scored their only run on Fernando Tatis Jr.'s two-out RBI single in the seventh. They also managed just one run in the series opener on Friday.

Kelly hit a run-scoring single off Nick Pivetta (1-1) in the second. He connected for a three-run shot with two out in the sixth, lifting Chicago to a 7-0 lead with his second homer of the season.

Kelly agreed to an $11.5 million, two-year deal with the Cubs in December. He hit for the cycle against the A’s on Monday night.

Pivetta permitted three runs and six hits in three innings. He struck out four and walked three.

Key moment

The Padres had some tough luck in the fifth. With Elias Díaz aboard after a one-out single, Tatis lined right to Michael Busch at first. Busch then stepped on the bag for the inning-ending double play.

Key stat

Ian Happ played in his 1,000th major league game — all with the Cubs. He robbed Gavin Sheets of extra bases with a terrific catch in left in the seventh.

Up next

Padres left-hander Kyle Hart (1-0, 3.60 ERA) and Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (1-1, 5.87 ERA) take the mound for the series finale on Sunday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb