CHICAGO -- The Cubs entered May in last place in the National League Central. On Tuesday morning, the team woke up in sole possession of the division's top spot for the first time this season.

All in a month's work.

"We had a really good month -- I know that," Cubs manager David Ross said prior to Tuesday's game against the Padres. "But, I understand also we have, really, a long ways to go. We have such a long season still ahead of us."

Still, it is worth noting that the May that the North Siders put together was one of the best months in recent memory for the franchise. In fact, the 19-8 showing marked just the 14th month in the divisional era (since 1969) that Chicago had at least 19 wins.

The 19 victories in May were the most in that particular month for the club since 1977 (21-7). Chicago's .704 winning percentage led the NL and was second to only Tampa Bay (.786) in the Majors last month.

"We're playing really good baseball," Ross said. "We're getting a lot of contributions from guys that have been called up and are stepping up in moments. That makes me extremely proud."

In May, the Cubs led the Majors in overall ERA (2.52), which included a 1.59 mark for the bullpen and a 3.18 ERA for the rotation. That came after Chicago posted a 4.89 ERA (3.83 by the bullpen and 5.81 for the rotation) in April.

Offensively, the North Siders turned in a .262/.335/.428 slash with a 111 wRC+ in May, following a .216/.309/.388 showing with a 94 wRC+ in April. Chicago did all this with mounting injuries (12 players are currently on the injured list) throughout the roster.

"It feels great," Cubs shortstop Javier Báez said after Monday's win. "We're going to get the ups and downs during the season. And like I say, at one point, it's going to click. The way that we are together in the ups and downs, [the ups are] going to be even longer."

Welcome back, Vic

When Padres catcher Victor Caratini was announced before his at-bat in the second inning on Monday, Cubs catcher Willson Contreras stepped in front of the plate. The gesture allowed Caratini to soak in the warm reception by the Wrigley Field faithful.

Caratini suited up for the Cubs from 2017-20, served as Contreras' backup and emerged as the personal catcher for Yu Darvish. Both Darvish and Caratini were dealt to San Diego over the offseason.

Caratini waved to the crowd before stepping in the batter's box.

"I wasn't expecting it," Caratini said via translator in a Zoom session on Tuesday. "Didn't even cross my mind to be honest. I was going to go out there and compete. That's the only thing I was really thinking about, so when it happened, it caught me by surprise. But again, it was a really beautiful moment, really wonderful. It was great."

Worth noting

• Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing the previous six games with a back issue. Ross said they will continue to get daily feedback from Rizzo to gauge if he needs any additional days off.

• Ross noted that outfielders Jason Heyward (10-day injured list, left hamstring) and Jake Marisnick (10-day IL, right hamstring) are scheduled to depart for Triple-A Iowa Wednesday to begin a Minor League rehab assignment.

Quotable

"I feel extremely blessed to be in the position that I'm in and to be playing for the team that I'm playing for. I feel like the information that I've gotten here and the coaching that I've gotten here has been the best of my career." -- Cubs righty Kohl Stewart