On the day that Chicago’s hockey team celebrated it’s championship, the city’s 2 baseball teams squared off in the 1st ever BP Crosstown Classic. Much like the entire season, Randy Wells (3-5) and the Chicago Cubs left it’s fans disappointed.
Wells’ 1st inning woes continued on Saturday vs. the White Sox. The rivals from the south side of town pounded out 10 hits in 5 innings leading to 5 runs (including 2 in the 1st) against Wells.
Alfonso Soriano took White Sox starter Jake Peavy (5-5) deep in the 2nd for a 2 run shot. The homerun was Soriano’s 300th bomb of his career. The Cubs’ bats went cold until the 8 where they started to rally.
The Cubs’ bullpen didn’t exactly shut down the Sox. Jeff Stevens and James Russell combined to give up 5 runs (including 3 homeruns) in only 2 plus innings of work. On the bright side, Bob Howry and Tom Gorzelanny both pitched scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th respectfully.
The White Sox pulled Peavy after 7 innnings. Peavy allowed 6 hits but only the 2 runs off of Soriano’s homer. The Sox starter showed good control, walking 1 and striking out 5 Cub batters. The Cubs staged their rally against the bullpen.
After Ryan Theriot and Derrek Lee singled off of Tony Pena, the Sox got sloppy on defense. Soriano reached 2nd on a Jason Nix error. The error allowed Theriot and Lee to score.
Ozzie Guillen saw enough and went to Randy Williams. Jeff Baker pinch hit for Chad Tracy and came through in the clutch. Baker singled to left that scored Soriano making the score 10-5. Unfortunately for the Cubs, that’s where the rally ended as the Sox turned to their closer, Bobby Jenks who closed the door.
These same 2 teams will be at it again on Saturday. The Cubs have the ace of the staff, Carlos Silva (8-0) pitching against Mark Buehrle (3-6).
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