MLB: San Diego 4, Chicago Cubs 1

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Kyle Blanks hit a two-out, three-run homer to highlight a four-run ninth inning Monday and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1.

Cubs' starter Ted Lilly and relievers John Grabow and Carlos Marmol had shut out the Padres on four hits through eight innings but closer Kevin Gregg (4-5) was unable to protect a 1-0 lead in the ninth. He issued a one-out walk to David Eckstein, who scored on a two-out double by Chase Headley to make it 1-1.

After walking Kevin Kouzmanoff intentionally, Gregg served up the home run ball to Blanks that allowed San Diego to win for the first time in its last five games.

Blanks and Headley had two hits each for the Padres.

San Diego starter Kevin Correia went six shutout innings, giving up just three hits and four walks.

Heath Bell (5-2) got the win in relief.

Aramis Ramirez drove in the lone Cubs' run with an RBI single in the eighth. The Cubs lost for the sixth time in their last eight games.