SAN DIEGO _ The Cubs didn't let up Sunday after securing sole possession of first place in the National League Central to end the first half.
They knocked out left-hander Eric Lauer after two innings and held on for a 7-4 victory over the Padres at Petco Park.
The Cubs' victory, coupled by the Brewers' fifth consecutive loss to the Pirates, extended their lead in the National League Central to 2 { games.
The Cubs (55-38) finished the first half with a 29-16 record to make up seven games on the Brewers and ended the first half with the league's best record.
Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant set the tone by working Lauer for 17 pitches to start the game. Javier Baez and Addison Russell each hit RBI singles, and a grounder by Ben Zobrist provided Jon Lester with a 3-0 lead before he took the mound.
Jason Heyward's soft single up the middle with two out scored Lester and Rizzo in the second.
Bryant was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run in the sixth.
Lester, making his final start of the first half, was pulled after four consecutive batters reached base safely with one out in the sixth. Lester's ERA stands at 2.58.
Brandon Morrow pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 22nd save.
Before the game, outfielder Albert Almora Jr. was placed on the Family Medical Emergency List and recalled infielder David Bote from Triple-A Iowa.
Bote, who started at third base, was 1-for-2 with two walks and a double.
Manager Joe Maddon confirmed before the game that Kyle Hendricks will start Thursday night's game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
