White Sox Pound Cubs, win shiny things
/Paul Konerko’s bases-clearing double in the fifth inning gave the White Sox the separation they needed in an 8-3 beat down of the Cubs, the Sox’s third straight over the Northsiders.
The Sox scored their eight runs on 11 hits, setting the tone early in the first inning when Alexei Ramirez hit an RBI single, scoring Jose Abreu (who collected hits in his first three at-bats). After the Cubs tied the game up in the second inning, Gordon Beckham broke the tie in the fourth inning with a three-run home run to center, his second homer in as many days.
John Danks started for the White Sox, giving up three runs on only four hits in six innings. Danks had a key strikeout of Anthony Rizzo with runners on base to end the fifth and preserve a one-run lead at the time.
Travis Wood took the loss for the Cubs, giving up a season high eight runs on eight hits and five walks in only four innings.
The Sox were solid defensively, not committing an error. Alexei Ramirez capped off the great defensive effort in the ninth inning when he caught a pop up off the bat of Wellington Castillo, having to reach backward over his head. Ramirez then spun and threw off balance to double off Starlin Castro at first base.
The White Sox bullpen continued its resurgence, throwing three hitless innings. Jake Petricka pitched two scoreless innings, while Maikel Cleto threw a scoreless ninth inning.
Tonight’s announced attendance of 21,075 was the lowest in White Sox-Cubs series history.
The White Sox go for the season sweep tomorrow night at U.S. Cellular Field, with Scott Carroll opposing Jake Arrieta.
Team Record: 18-17
Next game is Thursday at 7:10 p.m. CT at U.S. Cellular Field and can be seen on Comcast Sports Net.
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