The Cubs, coming off a 7-0 homestand, extended their longest win streak since a nine-game run during the 2008 NL Central championship season.
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Not to be outdone, Samardzija quickly gave up the lead again in the fifth when he allowed back-to-back solo homers by Coghlan and Rizzo to put the Cubs ahead 6-5. Fowler scored on Kyle Schwarber’s sacrifice fly for the 20th earned run in the first inning against Samardzija this season. Last time out, Hendricks allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings for his second straight win in an 8-6 Cubs triumph. He gave two hard pumps with his right fist toward Alexei Ramirez, who had pointed at him from second base, before walking off the field. And the Tampa Bay Rays took care of the Sox in the first round, three game to one. He launched his deep to right field right after Coghlan rounded the bases, and that run wound up being the winning margin thanks to the Cubs’ bullpen.
The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox play game two Saturday night.
The White Sox are 33-31 in games where they hit one or more home runs. Before the Los Angeles Angels series, the White Sox looked lost and were falling out of the wild card race. “There are times where he gets the middle of the plate, and when you get the middle of the plate in the wrong counts, it’s going to cost you”. The White Sox have scored 11 runs in their last three games and four or more runs in five of their last eight games. All White Sox players and coaches wore Minoso’s No. 9 for the game.
In an odd coincidence, Cubs pitcher Clayton Richard, who took over in the fourth for starter Kyle Hendricks, also is a Hoosier and beat out Samardzija for the title of Indiana Mr. Football in 2002. “Jonny was outstanding again, he had to battle through some moments but he was really good”, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
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Cubs: RHP Jake Arrieta (13-6, 2.38 ERA) has pitched a career-high 17 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings and is 7-1 in his past 10 starts. He is 0-2 in three starts against the North Siders.
