Melee mars Padres’ win over Cubs

Russell Branyan’s solo homer gave San Diego a 1-0 victory after a brawl.

CHICAGO (AP) — Derrek Lee saw the pitch and was sure it was aimed at his head. He got out of the way the best he could. The ball clipped the back of his left hand, and sent him sprawling to the ground.

Walked slowly to first, he had words with San Diego pitcher Chris Young. He got a response he didn’t like and took at swing at the right-hander.

Young swung back and a melee ensued Saturday, almost overshadowing a splendid pitching performance. Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano lost his no-hitter in the eighth and the game in the ninth, when Russell Branyan’s solo homer gave the Padres an emotional 1-0 win.

“I really don’t mind getting hit, but when it’s at my head, I feel like it threatened my health,” the normally mild-mannered Lee said. “I don’t know what his intent was, but it was at my head and he said some things to me I didn’t like. It just escalated.”

Ejected

Lee, Young, Cubs hitting coach Gerald Perry and Padres pitcher Jake Peavy were all ejected.

“I will say this, I didn’t throw at him and that’s as far as I’ll go,” said Young, who didn’t allow a hit in his three-plus innings before he was tossed. “I didn’t try to hit him. It had nothing to do with anything in the past. I was just trying to throw a pitch inside. It got away and hit him.”

Both benches emptied, resulting in pushing and shoving in a scrum as Lee and Young were held back. Several players fell to the ground before order was restored.

Zambrano (7-6) gave up two hits but the Cubs managed only two hits, as well, off relievers Justin Hampson, Heath Bell (1-2) and Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances.

Marcus Giles hit a chopper that bounded high over the mound and went off Zambrano’s glove for an infield single with one out in the eighth, ending the no-hit bid. The Cubs then turned their third double play to end the inning.

Branyan connected on a 3-2 pitch to left center in the ninth for his fifth homer.