Cubs stop Brewers to increase NL Central lead

(TSX / STATS) -- MILWAUKEE -- The way things are going for the Chicago Cubs, an injury to a key player provided an opportunity for a rookie to step up and become a hero for a day.

With Anthony Rizzo sidelined due to back stiffness, fill-in Victor Caratini hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the seventh inning to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon.

"It is a good feeling, man," Caratini said through translator Henry Blanco. "It is a huge feeling. Not only was it my first career homer, but it helped the team win. I feel amazing right now."

By taking the rubber game of a crucial three-game series between the top two teams in the National League Central, the Cubs increased their lead to 2 1/2 games over the second-place Brewers.

Milwaukee won the series opener 2-1 on Friday night to pull to within one-half game of first place. Chicago answered with a 2-1 win in 11 innings Saturday.

The Cubs trailed the Brewers by 5 1/2 games at the All-Star break, but they are 13-3 since. Milwaukee is 5-11 during that same stretch, allowing Chicago to make up eight games in the standings.

"We needed to do something like that obviously," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Playing a really good team here in their home ballpark. They came to play, we pitched really well against them."

Caratini fell behind 0-2 before fouling off a pair of pitches and taking a ball before drilling a fastball from Zach Davies out to dead center field for his first major league home run.

Kris Bryant added a solo shot off reliever Jacob Barnes in the eighth for his 20th homer.

John Lackey (8-9) limited the Brewers to just two runs on five hits over six innings to move to 3-0 with a 2.81 ERA in three starts since the All-Star break.

Wade Davis pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 22nd save of the season.

The Cubs broke through against Davies with four consecutive two-out hits in the sixth inning. Jon Jay singled to center, moved to third on a double by Bryant and scored on an infield single by Willson Contreras.

Addison Russell followed with a single to center to make it 2-0.

Milwaukee quickly answered in the bottom of the inning as Domingo Santana hit a two-run homer that hit off the top of the right field wall and bounced over.

"Johnny was really good," Maddon said of Lackey. "That was like a couple-years-ago Johnny. The fastball was that good, the slider was that good, fly ball to right hits the top of the wall, probably would have hit for him anyway under those circumstances, but I thought he threw the ball extremely well today."

Davies (12-5) was hit for his first loss since June 20, allowing three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts over seven innings.

Milwaukee scored just five runs in the series and is 0 for its last 31 with runners in scoring position.

"We've scored a lot of runs through 105, 110 games into the season," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "We've been a very good offensive team. I'm confident we'll score runs again and put up better numbers."

The 2 1/2-game deficit is the largest the Brewers have faced since April 12, when they trailed by three games.

"There are still a lot of games to be played," Davies said. "I don't think anybody in this clubhouse is too worried just this one series. Yeah, it would have been nice to switch-up the standings again, but there's still 55 games or so left to play and we're going to go out and compete in every one of them."

NOTES: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo was out of the lineup Sunday due to back stiffness. Backup C Victor Caratini filled in at first base. Manager Joe Maddon hopes to have Rizzo back in the lineup by Wednesday. ... The Brewers optioned RHP Junior Guerra for assignment and selected the contract of LHP Wei-Chung Wang from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Guerra started Opening Day for the Brewers but battled injuries and command issues to post a 4.96 ERA in 13 starts. He walked four of the 14 batters he faced Saturday and was pulled after three scoreless innings. ... Wang was 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA in 39 relief appearances for the Sky Sox. The left-hander was a Rule 5 pick from Pittsburgh in 2014 and spent that season in the big leagues, posting a 10.90 ERA in 14 appearances.

White Sox end Indians' nine-game winning streak

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- As the "Sox" on their schedule changed from rebuilding Chicago to contending Boston, the Cleveland Indians pondered the end of their nine-game winning streak with a clean perspective.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Matt Davidson smacked a walk-off, two-run homer against Indians reliever Bryan Shaw to cap a 3-1 victory on Sunday. Collecting their belongings moments later, the defending American League champion Indians were resolute about not allowing any frustration to linger when their road trip continues in Boston on Monday

"We've got to turn the page regardless, whether we win or lose," Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor said. "Because we understand we've got a very good team tomorrow. Every game counts. It's tough to swallow when you lose, but you've got to turn the page immediately."

Cleveland (57-46) stranded eight runners and finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, struggling to find offensive footing against Chicago left-hander Carlos Rodon.

Rodon pitched 6 2/3 innings for the White Sox (40-62), scattering one run and six hits while striking out nine and walking two. Rodon threw a season-high 110 pitches. He was making his sixth start after beginning the season on the disabled list with bursitis in his left biceps.

"He was just mixing, you know," Lindor said. "His slider, he was effective. His fastball had some life to it. Most of the times, he was getting ahead. The usual things. We all know what he's capable of doing, and he did it. Hats off to him. He had a great game today."

The White Sox earned half of their four hits for the game in the ninth inning. Jose Abreu's one-out double against Shaw (4-5) set the stage for Davidson, who hit a cut fastball into the stands in left-center field.

It was the first walk-off home run of Davidson's career, and Chicago's first game-ending home run of the season.

"It was really cool," Davidson said. "It was my first time doing that. I was trying to drive him in. It's been a rough go for us, so to get that feeling and get that win was huge for us."

Chicago did not collect its first hit until left fielder Leury Garcia smacked a solo home run with two outs in the sixth inning, tying the game at 1-all.

The White Sox activated Garcia from the 10-day disabled list before the game to take the roster spot of leadoff hitter and offensive catalyst Melky Cabrera, who was traded to Kansas City on Sunday in exchange for minor league pitchers A.J. Puckett and Andre Davis.

Cabrera initially was batting leadoff and playing left field for the White Sox. He went 4-for-5 in Chicago's 5-4 loss Saturday.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn evaluated positively the latest trade in a flurry of July transactions. In recent weeks, the White Sox have dealt left-hander Jose Quintana, third baseman Todd Frazier and relievers David Robertson, Dan Jennings, Tommy Kahnle and Anthony Swarzak.

"We're pleased," Hahn said. "I don't want to say we're surprised. This was our mission. This is what we set out to do. This is what we felt was important for the long-term health of the organization. We had a plan. That said, you need to respond to the market. It's not always the easiest thing to get across the finish line."

Rodon, who encountered a minor blister on his left middle finger in the seventh inning, knows the clubhouse is upbeat about that pursuit and the organization's transitional phase.

"We are trying to do something special here," Rodon said. "We were trying to do it for a while. As you see by the moves, it takes some time. It's a process. Everyone says it's a process, trust the process. That's the truth. We are just going to go about our business and play hard every day, what (manager Rick Renteria) preaches."

Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin stifled the White Sox before leaving the game with left hamstring tightness in the fifth inning. Cleveland manager Terry Francona and head athletic trainer James Quinlan visited Tomlin at the mound before the start of the fifth. Moments later, the Indians summoned right-hander Nick Goody, the first of three Cleveland relievers, despite Tomlin's bid to stay in the game.

Goody struck out the first five batters he faced before surrendering Garcia's home run.

Tomlin spaced five strikeouts and one hit batsman while throwing 35 of his 56 pitches for strikes. He became the third opposing starter in the past five games to carry a no-hitter into the fifth inning against Chicago. Tomlin said he is hopeful he will not miss a turn in the rotation. He said he suffered a hamstring tweak while fielding a ground ball in the fourth inning.

"Yeah, it was frustrating on my part," Tomlin said. "I didn't really know what happened. Maybe if I get off the mound a little better and field the ball in front of me as opposed to getting around it, it wouldn't have happened."

Tyler Clippard (2-6) earned the victory for Chicago, striking out two and allowing one hit in a scoreless eighth inning.

Lindor opened the scoring with a solo home run to left field leading off the third. Austin Jackson and Jose Ramirez had two hits apiece for Cleveland.

NOTES: Cleveland outscored opponents 66-24 during its nine-game winning streak. ... The White Sox snapped their nine-game home losing streak. The club record is 11, set in 1989. ... White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson was ejected before the top of the sixth inning. ... Indians manager Terry Francona on OF Tim Raines, a former teammate who was inducted Sunday into the National Baseball Hall of Fame: "I don't know why it took so long. I'm a big fan of his. Anybody that played with him (is)."

Heyward homers as Cubs jolt Brewers in 11 innings

(TSX / STATS) -- MILWAUKEE -- Linguist that he is, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has invented a new word. Welcome to "Jaugust."

Jason Heyward blasted a home run to right-center field with one out in the top of the 11th inning Saturday night to lift the Cubs to a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in a series that is exceeding the typical intensity of late July.

The Brewers, who led the division for most of June and July up until the past week, had pulled within a half-game of the Cubs with a 2-1 victory Friday night.

Both games featured sellout crowds, with Cubs fans making the 90-mile drive north and making sure they were heard.

"It's 'Jaugust,' I told you that. It's already here," Maddon said of late-season intensity. "There's no getting around it, and I love it. I absolutely love it, and I think our players do. It's great. The fans were absolutely energized tonight. It was good stuff. And, of course, it's better when you win."

The Brewers threatened to get back on top of the division until Kris Bryant's seventh-inning single forged a 1-1 tie.

Milwaukee, which took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, never dented the scoreboard again.

Heyward ripped a 1-1 pitch from Jared Hughes (3-3) into the Chicago bullpen to give the Cubs their first lead of the weekend series. It was his eighth homer of the season.

"I think it was a slider," Heyward said. "I was looking for a strike. Just trying to hit the strikes and not swing at the balls.

"I knew I hit it hard. I didn't see how much it went out. I knew I hit it toward the gap and it had a chance."

Mike Montgomery (3-6) pitched the 10th inning, working around a walk, a wild pitch and an intentional walk to send the game to the 11th.

Wade Davis struck out two in the 11th for his 21st save, allowing a two-out walk to Orlando Arcia.

The Brewers fell to 3-9 in extra-inning games.

"Both teams didn't create opportunities at all," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "We were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, so there were certainly opportunities for hits that would have won the game or impacted the game. But we didn't really create that many opportunities."

Chicago wasn't much better, striking out 17 times for the second time this week -- both victories.

"We've got to do a much better job," Maddon said. "I am disappointed in that, the lack of contact, the lack of adjustments. We have to get better with that or we're not going anywhere offensively. But I'll take the home run."

Chicago's Kyle Hendricks went five innings, allowing the first-inning run. Milwaukee's Junior Guerra, the team's ace in 2016, was pulled after three innings, having issued four walks and continually pitching from behind.

Rookie Josh Hader took over and allowed just two runners in three innings -- a two-out single to Bryant in the fifth and a leadoff walk to Willson Contreras in the sixth. He struck out six.

"A lot of fans, adrenaline gets going," said Hader, who used his 97 mph fastball most of the time.

The Cubs forged a tie in the seventh. John Jay, who entered on a double switch, reached on a one-out single off reliever Jacob Barnes. He advanced to second on Ben Zobrist's high chopper to first, with Eric Thames taking the sure out. That turned out to be a huge decision, as Bryant laced a single between third and short to score Zobrist.

Barnes hit Anthony Rizzo to put two runners on but retired Contreras on a foul popup behind the plate.

Neither team really mustered much over the final innings. Milwaukee had just one hit in six innings against the Chicago bullpen. Heyward's homer was Chicago's only hit in the last four innings.

The Brewers hit Hendricks hard on their way to a first-inning run. Thames lined a one-out single and scored on Ryan Braun's double to the gap in left center. Travis Shaw followed with another missile, but it carried right to center fielder Ian Happ. Hernan Perez also ripped a liner that left fielder Kyle Schwarber tracked down just short of the warning track.

NOTES: The Brewers designated RHP Wily Peralta for assignment and called up OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Peralta was a 17-game winner in 2014 but never came close to duplicating that success since. He was Milwaukee's Opening Day starter in 2016 but went 7-11 with a 4.86 ERA and was sent down to Colorado Springs in the middle of the season. Peralta was 5-4 with a 7.85 ERA overall and 1-2 with an 11.84 ERA in 11 relief appearances this year. He allowed runs in eight of his last nine relief appearances. ... Brewers RHP Chase Anderson threw a bullpen session and reported no problems as he is working his way back from a strained oblique sustained June 29. Anderson is 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA. ... Brewers INF Eric Sogard was just 1-for-18 since returning from the disabled list with a strained ankle before slapping a single to left in the fifth inning. He was hitting .331 before the injury but was down to .299 before the single. ... Cubs manager Joe Maddon said that with an off-day on Monday he will flip-flop Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester in the rotation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lester will pitch Tuesday and then leave the team to attend a funeral. Arrieta will pitch Wednesday.

Bases-loaded HBP lifts Indians to 9th straight win

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- The Cleveland Indians found an unconventional way to keep their season-high winning streak alive.

Pinch-hitter Brandon Guyer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning of the Indians' ninth straight victory, a 5-4 decision over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.

"That's what good teams do -- you find ways to win games," Guyer said. "Not many times you're going to win a game on a hit by pitch. But we were able to do so because of the good at-bats, the good pitching. That's what led to it. That's how it goes sometimes."

The Indians loaded the bases with two outs after Aaron Bummer (0-1) allowed a walk and a single. Gregory Infante took over and hit Yan Gomes with his first pitch before he also hit Guyer.

"It's probably not the way you drew it up, but when you hear the music playing in (the locker room) after a game, it's good," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

The Indians have won a season-high nine straight and the White Sox have lost five in a row and 14 of their last 15.

"We're all really hitting one through nine in big situations, getting big hits," Guyer said. "Pitching has been good the whole year. The days we're pitching good we're also hitting good."

Andrew Miller (4-3) threw 1 2/3 shutout innings for the win. Cody Allen pitched a scoreless inning for his 19th save.

Indians starter Corey Kluber gave up four runs and a season-high nine hits while striking out 12 in 6 1/3 innings. He finished with at least 10 strikeouts for the 10th time this season and 34th time in his career. He has struck out at least eight in 11 consecutive starts for the longest streak in the majors since Pedro Martinez also did it 11 straight times in 2002.

"Tonight I didn't have very good command the entire time," Kluber said. "There's some hitters where I was able to get ahead and finish them off and there was also a fair amount of guys I got ahead of them and made pretty bad pitches."

Melky Cabrera had four hits and Jose Abreu homered for Chicago, which fell to 4-18 in July. The team's nine-game losing streak at home is its longest since an 11-game skid in 1989.

White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits in six innings. He was 1-1 with a 1.35 ERA in his previous two starts. He has thrown all three of the Chicago's quality starts after the All-Star break.

The White Sox tied the scor on Tim Anderson's double down the right-field line in the sixth inning.

The Indians loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh against reliever Tyler Clippard before Jackson flied out to end the inning.

The White Sox had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. Miller replaced Kluber after a Cabrera double, a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Abreu. Miller hit top prospect Yoan Moncada in a knee with a pitch to load the bases but struck out two.

"The first moment I was sore in that area, but I feel good," Moncada said.

Abreu's three-run homer cut the Indians' lead to one in the third inning. Abreu's 19th home run came after Adam Engel was hit by a pitch and Cabrera singled.

"Abreu is one of the most dangerous hitters in the game," Francona said. "If you leave a pitch where you're not supposed to, he can do that."

The Indians have scored first in eight consecutive games. They went ahead in the second inning after Carlos Santana walked, advanced to third on right fielder Alen Hanson's fielding error and scored on Gomes' sacrifice fly.

Hanson dropped Jackson's long fly ball and hit his face on the fence but remained in the game.

Cleveland added three runs and five hits in the third inning. Michael Brantley had a sacrifice fly followed by Edwin Encarnacion's RBI single and Jackson's RBI double.

Moncada made back-to-back flashy plays at second base in the fourth inning. He heaved a strong throw on a grounder and, on the next play, scooped up a bunt and flipped to Abreu at first base.

"I just tried to catch the ball and as soon as I caught it I just tried to throw it as fast as I can," Moncada said.

"Probably one the best catches and releases, quickest release you've ever seen," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "It was on the shortstop side. A little (Robinson) Cano-ish. ... And then obviously the real slow roller in the 4-hole that he came in with the glove, ended up deflecting back. It's the kind of athletic prowess he winds up bringing to the table. I think people were pretty excited to see it. Those are some of the things they should be excited about."

NOTES: The Indians claimed RHP Diego Moreno off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays and sent him to Triple-A Columbus. ... Indians LHP Boone Logan (latissimus dorsi strain) was transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day disabled list. ... Indians 2B Jason Kipnis (right hamstring strain) was scheduled to be the designated hitter on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus, but the game was rained out. He went on the 10-day disabled list July 9. ... Indians CF Lonnie Chisenhall (right calf strain) has been running. ... White Sox OF Leury Garcia (sprained left finger) was transferred to Triple-A Charlotte from rookie level for his rehab assignment.

Mother killed, 4-year-old son wounded in Chicago shooting

Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Authorities say a 28-year-old woman was fatally shot and her 4-year-old son was wounded by gunfire in Chicago.

Officials say the shooting happened Friday evening on the city’s West Side. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office identified the woman as Nikia Betts. Officials say she was shot in the head and taken to a hospital, where she died less than an hour after the shooting. Police say the boy was shot in the arm and was in good condition at a hospital.

A man who identified himself as Betts’ cousin told the Chicago Tribune she was walking through an alley near her home when the shooting occurred. Ronnie Betts says he heard gunfire before the boy came running with a gunshot wound to his arm, saying “mom’s been shot.”

Dangerous swim conditions reported along Lake Michigan

CHICAGO (AP) — The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous swimming conditions along Lake Michigan’s shores in Illinois and Indiana.

The weather service said Saturday that there are chances of life-threatening waves and currents in Lake and Cook counties in Illinois and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana. Forecasters say waves could reach between 3 and 5 feet and strong currents are expected.

Forecasters have put out a beach hazards statement through Saturday evening. They are warning those who visit Lake Michigan beaches in the four affected counties to stay out of the water.

Authorities said Saturday morning that a man died after being pulled from Lake Michigan near downtown Chicago. In Portage, Indiana, five people were rescued Thursday evening when they couldn’t get back to shore after swimming in rough waters along Lake Michigan.

Brewers look to retake division lead from Cubs

Stats, LLC

(TSX / STATS) -- MILWAUKEE -- After watching a 5 1/2-game lead in the National League Central disappear during a disastrous 10-game road trip, the Milwaukee Brewers wanted to make a statement this weekend against the front-running Chicago Cubs at Miller Park.

"We're in second place, they're in first place," Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw said. "We know we have to win this series to get back where we want to be. We've done a lot of sliding in the second half. This will be a big series for us, a big homestand."

Milwaukee got off to a good start Friday night, emerging from a pitcher's duel to take Game 1 of the three-game set, but now look to keep that momentum going and move back into the top spot Saturday night when right-hander Junior Guerra (1-4, 5.22) takes on Kyle Hendricks (4-3, 3.95).

Hendricks will be looking to bounce back after a rough start last week in his return from a seven-week stint on the disabled list with right hand tendinitis.

"He looked fine delivery-wise, but the ball just wasn't coming out as normal," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He just didn't have that good feel about him. But he threw, like, 90 pitches, which is good to get him stretched out moving into the next start. And the fact that he got out of there with one run, I was really pleased with that. It's a good outing to build off of."

Hendricks, MLB's ERA leader a year ago, has faced the Brewers twice this season, allowing four earned runs in each of those outings -- both Cubs victories.

He has a career 2.80 ERA against the Brewers and is 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA in six lifetime starts at Miller Park.

Guerra has also done well against the Cubs, going 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two career appearances -- both of them last season -- but has battled his velocity and command for much of the 2017 season.

He lasted only four innings in his last outing, allowing five runs, five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in a 6-3 loss at Philadelphia.

Through 13 outings this season, Guerra has looked vastly different from the pitcher who went 9-3 with a 2.81 ERA as a 31-year-old rookie a year ago.

"There's no question it's been different," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "Today, to me, was a little bit of what we've seen in the past -- just struggling to get ahead of hitters and putting yourself in bad spots and kind of causing that survival mode because you're behind in the count and there's a lot of traffic on the bases."

Milwaukee's bats have fallen silent for much of the second half, but Maddon has been impressed with what he has seen from the Brewers this season.

"They work good at-bats and they don't expand their strike zone," he said. "Maybe one or two guys might, but for the most part, they are not expanders. You have to throw a strike. It is almost like an AL East batting lineup. You have to get them out within the strikeout."

White Sox try to stay in the moment against Indians

Stats, LLC

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- As the Chicago White Sox roster gets younger seemingly by the day, manager Rick Renteria is getting the most out of his veterans as long as possible.

With next week's trade deadline looming, interest continues to remain high for possible trade pieces like outfielder Melky Cabrera and even pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who will start Saturday against the Cleveland Indians.

But in what has already been a season of change, Renteria has attempted to prepare his young team for even more roster revisions. With so much youth around the clubhouse, though, Renteria has leaned on experienced players to maintain as much order as they can.

"I think you're just looking at the big picture," Renteria said Friday before his team dropped its 16th loss in 18 games with a 9-3 loss to the Indians. "It's all about what the whole organization believes (veterans) can continue to contribute.

"I think that as we continue to move forward and with the players that we have within the system, it's almost like a natural progression that something occurs or there's a trade or a deal. We just have to deal with it and continue to move our younger guys into those slots."

While the constant movement has become a way of life for the White Sox, opposing teams -- especially those within the American League Central -- must adjust to a roster that looks much different than it did earlier this season.

The Indians enter Saturday having won eight straight games.

For managers like the Indians' Terry Francona, that means trying to scout players he doesn't have much information to go on with. That includes White Sox rookie second baseman Yoan Moncada, whom Renteria batted in the cleanup spot in Friday's series opener.

While Moncada is widely considered baseball's top prospect, his recent call-up leaves Francona with little to go on when it comes to putting together an accurate scouting report.

"He probably hasn't hit his stride yet, but he's a pretty good talent," Francona said.

With all of Chicago's new faces, Francona prepares the best he can, but said there comes a point when all of the advance work reaches a limit.

"(The White Sox are) clearly building for the future," Francona said. "But once the game starts, it's 'go play.'"

Corey Kluber (8-3) will start Saturday for the Indians looking for his second straight victory after back-to-back no-decisions. Kluber allowed one run and five hits and struck out a season-high 14 on July 23 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

As Kluber appears back to his Cy Young form from a year ago after dealing with a stiff neck, Gonzalez (5-9) may be turning a corner. He ended the White Sox's nine-game losing streak earlier this week by beating the Chicago Cubs after only recently coming off the disabled list with AC joint inflammation in his shoulder.

Renteria sees more confidence in a healthy Gonzalez. But considering plenty of teams are looking for reliable pitching, Gonzalez's time with the White Sox could also be limited. So for now, Renteria will take everything he can get.

"I think when you're feeling good about yourself, physically speaking, I think your confidence level rises," Renteria said. "He's got a skill set -- he's been around the game quite awhile and he's pitched effectively over his career and very well at times.

"I think it's kind of a combination of things that are allowing him to be who he is."

Suter leads Brewers past Cubs

(TSX / STATS) -- MILWAUKEE -- After blowing all of a 5 1/2-game lead in the National League Central during a disastrous 10-game road trip, the Milwaukee Brewers got their groove back Friday night.

The Brewers used pitching, defense and just enough offense to take a game back in the divisional race with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Milwaukee reduced the Cubs' division lead to a half-game.

Left-hander Brent Suter (2-1) set the tone, holding the Cubs scoreless in a career-high seven innings while allowing four hits and a walk with five strikeouts.

The quick-working Suter was helped by double plays in the third and seventh innings, snuffing Chicago's biggest threats of the evening.

"The defense played great behind me," said Suter, who has a 1.50 ERA in five starts since replacing injured Chase Anderson. "Nothing was really that great, but it was just good enough to miss some barrels and the defense kept making big plays. A couple of huge double plays for us."

Suter outdueled Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana (2-1), who took his first loss since being traded from the crosstown White Sox after giving up two runs, four hits and three walks while striking out six in six innings.

"They hit some balls really well," Cubs manager Joe Madden said. "We made some really good plays and missed some others. It was kind of weird. But he got through it. He started varying his speeds a lot better in the latter part of the game. I thought that's why he got some quicker innings.

"His stuff was fine. They had some good at-bats."

Jesus Aguilar led off the second with a single and scored later in the inning on Manny Pina's groundout to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

Chicago put two runners on twice in the third but came up empty. The Cubs wouldn't get many more chances, either. They finished the day 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.

"We could not get anything going against Suter," Maddon said. "He was outstanding, mixing speeds. He really knows what he's doing out there."

Milwaukee had a chance to make it 3-0 in the bottom of the inning when Ryan Braun took Quintana deep to right, but Jason Heyward made a spectacular play, reaching over the railing atop the eight-foot wall to rob Braun of his 13th home run of the season.

"It was a tremendous play," Maddon said.

Milwaukee loaded the bases with nobody out in the fourth and took a 2-0 lead when Orlando Arcia reached on a fielder's choice, driving in a run.

The Brewers loaded the bases again in the inning, driving Quintana's pitch count above 80 in the process, but he escaped without further damage by getting Braun to pop out to shallow center.

"It was a slow start at the beginning of the game," Quintana said. "I tried to make adjustments. It is going to happen sometimes. I focused on throwing strikes early. I know I was facing a good lineup."

Chicago's Addison Russell missed his 11th homer of the season by mere inches in the eighth, instead flying out to right. However, Javier Baez followed and blasted Anthony Swarzak's first offering off the stadium club windows in left to make it 2-1.

Travis Shaw helped Swarzek's cause, reaching into the Cubs' dugout to grab a Ben Zobrist popup for a second out. Swarzek walked Jon Jay to put the tying run on but protected the lead when he retired Bryant on a weak chopper to first.

Anthony Rizzo created drama in the ninth, drawing a leadoff walk against Brewers closer Corey Knebel. But Rizzo was left stranded at third when Knebel struck out pinch-hitter Kyle Schwarber for his 18th save of the season.

Chicago's lead over Milwaukee was trimmed to a half-game.

"We know we have to win this series to get back where we want to be," Shaw said. "We've done a lot of sliding in the second half. This will be a big series for us."

NOTES: Brewers RHP Chase Anderson will throw a bullpen session Saturday. Anderson has been out since June 29 with a strained left oblique. ... Since taking over for Anderson, LHP Brent Suter has posted a 1.50 ERA in five starts, including seven shutout innings Friday night. ... Chicago's starters had combined for a 10-0 record and 2.51 ERA with a 0.89 WHIP in 13 games since the All-Star break.

Ramirez, Indians throttle White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Danny Salazar spent six weeks on the disabled list at the time of the season when the Cleveland Indians may have considered making a move to bring in another top-line starting pitcher.

But now that he is healthy, Salazar may be providing the Indians with exactly what they need to make another run at a second straight American League title.

Salazar struck out eight and allowed only three hits and Jose Ramirez had four hits with a homer and three RBIs as the Indians won their eighth straight game with a 9-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Salazar (4-5) didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning before he departed in the seventh after allowing a two-run homer to Matt Davidson. By then, the Indians had plenty of breathing room en route to handing the White Sox their fourth straight loss and 16th in their last 18 games.

"It feels amazing right now," said Salazar, who was sidelined between June 6 and July 22 and who made his second straight solid start since returning.

"I'm focusing on my job right now and trying to do the same thing every single day and to stay healthy and stay strong so I can do my job out there."

Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley also homered for Cleveland, which also got a pair of RBI singles from Yan Gomes.

The Indians broke the game open in the fifth inning with four runs to build a 6-0 lead. Ramirez drove in a pair with a two-run single after Santana and Francisco Lindor produced back-to-back singles. After the White Sox elected to intentionally walk Edwin Encarnacion, Ramirez promptly singled to drive in his second and third runs of the night.

"I just tried to get a good pitch, put a good swing on it and thank God I had good results," Ramirez said.

White Sox starter Derek Holland said he hoped to get a ground ball and potentially an inning-ending double play out of Ramirez after walking Encarnacion. Instead, it turned into a momentum-shifting inning.

"I thought that pitching-wise I had the right stuff, it just comes down to execution," Holland said. "I missed a couple spots. That's the frustrating thing."

Said Indians manager Terry Francona: "If they're going to walk people, you want to make them pay for it. To me, (Ramirez) is the ultimate protector."

Holland (5-10) struggled with his command in his 4 1/3 innings. In addition to allowing nine hits and surrendering six runs, he walked six and failed to record a strikeout.

After Ramirez came through, Holland walked Brandon Guyer with the bases loaded to extend the lead to 5-0 before Gomes followed with an RBI single off of reliever Chris Beck.

Salazar didn't allow a hit until Omar Narvaez lined a one-out single before Alen Hanson followed with Chicago's second hit in the fifth. But Salazar rebounded and struck out Tim Anderson and Adam Engel to keep the White Sox scoreless.

Rookie Yoan Moncada had an RBI double for Chicago, which loaded the bases in the eighth inning before Indians reliever Nick Goody pitched out of the jam. The White Sox also loaded the bases in the ninth, but again failed to score as their losing streak continued.

"We had a couple opportunities to continue to put ourselves back in the swing of things with a timely hit here or there," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "We kept battling, we just fell short."

NOTES: Indians 2B Jason Kipnis (strained right hamstring) will DH for Triple-A Columbus on Saturday and then is expected to play second base on Sunday, manager Terry Francona said Friday. Francona said Kipnis has progressed faster than expected after being placed on the disabled list July 9. ... RF Lonnie Chisenhall (right calf) is expected to resume running the bases "any day," Francona said. ... LHP Boone Logan received a second opinion after he sustained what is thought to be a left lat strain/tear on July 21. Francona said Logan -- who has posted a 4.71 ERA over 21 appearances -- is considering several options, one of which is surgery, which could be season-ending. ... White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada, widely considered to be the top prospect in baseball, hit in the cleanup spot for the first time. Manager Rick Renteria said he is experimenting where Moncada fits best in the lineup.

Schwarber powers Cubs past White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Make no mistake, Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber enjoys his home run trots.

However, when the 235-pound slugger gets an opportunity to showcase his athleticism and slide into third base with a rare triple, his smile is as broad as his shoulders.

"Hey man, whenever the big fella can leg out a triple, it's good," Schwarber said with a chuckle.

On Thursday night, Schwarber did it all for the Cubs in a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. He finished 3-for-4 with a triple, two home runs and four RBIs in one of his best performances of the season.

Anthony Rizzo also homered as the Cubs won their ninth consecutive road game. The Cubs (54-47) climbed a season-high seven games above .500 and took three out of four games from the White Sox to win the annual crosstown series for the first time since 2013.

After an up-and-down first half, the Cubs are 11-2 since the All-Star break.

"We like where we're at," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "We like the feeling."

A significant reason for the Cubs' positive feeling has to do with Schwarber's resurgence. Schwarber slumped so badly during the first half that he was demoted to Triple-A Iowa to work on his swing. Since being recalled in early July, he is hitting .280 (14-for-50) with five home runs and eight RBIs in 15 games.

Schwarber capped his fourth career multiple-homer game when he crushed a solo shot into the right field bleachers in the eighth inning to make it 6-2. The blast marked Schwarber's 17th home run of the season, exceeding his rookie total of 16 home runs in 2015.

Two innings earlier, he drilled an opposite-field line drive off the left field wall for a triple. It was the second triple of his career and his first triple since June 17, 2015.

"I just want to worry about putting the barrel on the ball and making consistent contact," Schwarber said. "I'm trying to stay within myself and be short (with my swing), and it's paying off."

Jose Abreu homered twice in a losing effort. Willy Garcia also hit a solo home run for the White Sox (39-60), who lost for the 12th time in the past 13 games.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Abreu deserved praise for his leadership on and off the field during a massive rebuild of the major league roster.

"This man has been continually gaining the respect of his teammates," Renteria said. "He's been slowly taking on that role over the course of the season."

Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (8-6) allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings. Lester has won three starts in a row, which is his best stretch of the season.

White Sox right-hander Mike Pelfrey (3-8) gave up five runs on six hits in five innings.

"Obviously, I'd like to go a lot deeper," Pelfrey said. "It's been kind of a concern all year."

The White Sox grabbed a 1-0 lead on a solo shot by Garcia in the third inning.

Rizzo evened the score at 1 in the fourth with his team-leading 24th home run. Pelfrey elevated a pitch over the plate, and Rizzo turned on it for a towering shot that traveled an estimated 432 feet.

After Willson Contreras drew a walk as the next batter, Schwarber hit a two-run, opposite-field home run to put the Cubs on top 3-1.

The White Sox struck back on a booming home run by Abreu to trim the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth.

Bryant increased the Cubs' lead to 4-2 with a sacrifice fly that scored Albert Almora in the fifth. Schwarber drove in the next two runs with a triple and a home run.

"Right now, the game is slowing down again (for him)," Maddon said. "His confidence is building."

Abreu finished the scoring with a blast to straightaway center field for his second home run of the game and his 18th of the season.

NOTES: The White Sox dealt LHP Dan Jennings to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league 1B Casey Gillaspie. Jennings, 30, went 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA in 48 games for Chicago. ... Cubs OF Jon Jay remained in the game despite being hit in the helmet by a pitch in the sixth inning. ... White Sox OF Avisail Garcia (sprained right thumb) was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to July 26. ... Cubs OF Kyle Schwarber served as designated hitter for the second straight game. ... White Sox LHP Aaron Bummer made his major league debut in the eighth, and he allowed one run in one inning. The team purchased Bummer's contract from Triple-A Charlotte to fill Jennings' roster spot.

Cubs try to keep White Sox down

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(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- As the annual Crosstown Classic draws to a close Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field, one thing remains perfectly clear: The rivalry hasn't lost any of its intensity.

Despite the Chicago Cubs and their neighbors to the south, the White Sox, moving in different directions as next week's trade deadline approaches, winning as much as possible -- especially against one another -- is a common goal.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday that the club remains open for business after trading pitchers Jose Quintana and David Robertson and third baseman Todd Frazier in recent days. How active the White Sox will be remains unknown; but, while the Cubs chase after a National League Central Division title, the White Sox are in still full-blown rebuilding mode.

"We're still having conversations on a couple of different fronts," Hahn said Wednesday before the White Sox lost 8-3 to the Cubs and fell to 2-14 in their last 16 games. "Obviously, I think we've made our major moves up to this point. But we're still having some conversations."

While Hahn focuses on the future, manager Rick Renteria keeps his focus on the present, especially with one final game against his former team coming Thursday.

Jon Lester (7-6, 3.95 ERA) will start for the Cubs, who are 10-2 since the All-Star break, while the White Sox counter with Mike Pelfrey (3-7, 4.46).

Lester is 6-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 14 starts vs. the White Sox, including 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA in nine turns at Guaranteed Rate Field. Pelfrey is 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA in three outings against the Cubs.

"We're trying to play as well as we can," Renteria said Wednesday. "It would be nice to get a win here (against the Cubs) with the hometown fans, for sure. That's what we're going to try and do. We're going to execute; and, if we go out and do what we need to do, just like any other ballclub, we give ourselves a chance and an opportunity to win a game."

The Cubs, meanwhile, are moving closer to the trade deadline likely in the buyer's market. In addition to perhaps adding a little more pitching, the Cubs, who moved into first place in the National League Central with their win Wednesday, reportedly have been shopping for a backup catcher.

Manager Joe Maddon elected to sit the hot-hitting Willson Contreras on Wednesday night to provide a breather. After the Cubs cut ties with veteran Miguel Montrero earlier this season, having a bona fide backup catcher still may be a priority.

Maddon, for one, isn't concerned.

"Our (front office) guys know what they're doing," Maddon said. "They read the tea leaves really well. They're inspired to do what they can do to help us out further, but I will stand by my comment: I like what we have here right now."

After Jake Arrieta allowed only two hits in 6 2/3 innings Wednesday night, Lester will take the mound with hopes of continuing the strong effort the Cubs have gotten from their starters. Since the All-Star break, Cubs starters are 9-0 with eight quality starts and have posted a 2.50 ERA.

While the Cubs possibly look to add to their arsenal, is there a need to add another arm?

"I don't know," Arrieta said. "If there's a situation where we can get another guy and not lose any key players, it might work in our favor. But I think we've got the pieces to get it done."

Arrieta sharp in Cubs victory over White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- When the Chicago Cubs' starting pitching is on target, the rest of Joe Maddon's team tends to follow suit.

And after a disappointing first half when the defending World Series champions were mired in mediocrity, things have turned dramatically ever since as the Cubs' starters have picked up steam.

Wednesday night provided the latest chapter.

Jake Arrieta allowed only two hits in 6 2/3 innings and Anthony Rizzo drilled a three-run double and drove in four runs as the Cubs beat the crosstown rival White Sox 8-3 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Rizzo's bases-loaded double sparked a four-run fifth inning before the Cubs -- 10-2 since the All-Star break -- added another run in the sixth. The win, coupled with the Milwaukee Brewers' loss to the Washington Nationals, moved the Cubs into first place in the National League Central by one-half game.

Arrieta's effort was a big reason why.

"Starting pitching -- we feed off of it," said Rizzo, who was 3-for-4.

The White Sox have lost 14 of their last 16 games.

Rizzo added an RBI single in the eighth inning and Addison Russell homered in the ninth to cap the Cubs' scoring. Alen Hanson homered in the White Sox eighth off reliever Mike Montgomery.

The Cubs' offensive burst was more than enough for Arrieta (10-7), who surrendered a double in the fifth inning to Omar Narvaez and Yoan Moncada's first major league home run with two outs in the seventh inning.

Arrieta struck out five and walked two as he won for the third time in his last five outings (3-1).

"I still feel like I haven't pitched my best yet -- and that's a good feeling," Arrieta said. "With what I have right now, the command I display and the secondary pitches that I'm capable of utilizing, I have a lot of weapons and I feel good."

With Arrieta rolling, the Cubs' offense did, too.

Rizzo's three-run double in the fifth inning gave the Cubs a 4-0 lead. Victor Caratini led off with a single before Jason Heyward walked and Kris Bryant reached on an error. Rizzo cleared the bases with a double that soared over the head of center fielder Adam Engel.

That chased White Sox starter James Shields (2-3), who didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning but left after giving up five runs (three earned) while walking three and striking out four in four-plus innings.

Shields, who has struggled this season with giving up home runs, didn't allow one Wednesday, but couldn't keep going after his strong start.

"That's kind of where he's been a little bit over the last few starts," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He's still trying to make adjustments, he's trying to go out there and compete, he's trying to do all he can and there's only so much he can do in the end.

"Today was one of those days where we just have to keep fighting."

The Cubs extended their lead to 5-0 with two outs on Jon Jay's RBI single.

Hanson got the White Sox on the board with a sacrifice fly that scored Moncada, who walked with one out before advancing to third on Narvaez's double.

After neither team managed a hit in the first three innings, the Cubs broke through in the fourth.

Rizzo singled with one out after Shields, who issued a second-inning walk, retired 10 of the first 11 batters he faced. After Rizzo advanced to third on a Ben Zobrist single, he gave the Cubs a 1-0 led on Kyle Schwarber's RBI single.

With everything seemingly rolling in the right direction and the Cubs back atop the division standings, it's just a matter of keeping things rolling, manager Joe Maddon said.

"We have to be more efficient (offensively) as we move along and keep working those at-bats," Maddon said. "It's always nice to wake up (in first place)."

NOTES: Cubs LHP Brett Anderson was designated for assignment after being activated from the 60-day disabled list. Anderson was 2-2 with an 8.18 ERA for the Cubs this season. Anderson had been sidelined with a lower back strain. ... White Sox OF Avisail Garcia will be sidelined for "a couple of weeks," general manager Rick Hahn said after an MRI showed a ligament strain in Garcia's right thumb. Garcia also has experienced discomfort in his right middle finger recently. Hahn said Garcia likely won't require a procedure on the thumb before he returns. ... The White Sox traded RHP Anthony Swarzak to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Ryan Cordell, the Brewers' 17th-rated prospect, according to MLB.com. ...RHP Jake Petricka was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list after being placed on the DL June 29 with a right elbow strain. He will take Swarzak's roster spot.

Zobrist, Contreras help Cubs beat White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- It may be something as simple as a good night's sleep, but the versatile Ben Zobrist may be most dangerous when he is rested.

At least that's the theory of Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon after Zobrist reached base four times -- including his 500th career extra-base hit -- to help his team to a 7-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.

"When he's rested, you're going to get that kind of game out of him," said Maddon as the Cubs split the two-game home portion of a four-game city series. "That's why it's so important to keep him in that shape, that mental balance by being fresh. And he was definitely fresh today."

Zobrist went 3-for-4 with two doubles plus a walk, an RBI and a stolen base. Willson Contreras was 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer, his 16th of the season.

Cubs starter John Lackey (7-9) made it back-to-back victories since coming off the disabled list with a successful five-plus inning outing. White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (1-4) suffered his third straight loss.

"Eleven strikeouts today (but) high pitch counts," said White Sox manager Rick Renteria of Rodon. "The efficiency wasn't there, but he was still able to do a lot. They put a couple balls in play and scored some runs, but all in all his stuff was pretty good. It's lively, his ball is moving a lot."

The Cubs (52-47) won for the ninth time in 11 games since the All-Star break. The White Sox (39-58) have dropped 10 of their last 11.

Zobrist doubled down the third base line for his milestone extra-base hit to lead off the Cubs' first inning. After a one-out walk to Anthony Rizzo, Contreras launched an 0-1 pitch from Rodon to left for a three-run homer and a 3-0 lead.

The White Sox replied with two runs in the second as Tim Anderson and Omar Narvaez each reached on singles with one out, and Rodon helped his cause with a two-base hit to deep center to score both with his first major league hit.

Zobrist doubled again in the second, this time driving in Addison Russell from second with one out to extend the Cubs' lead to 4-2. Rodon limited further damage by striking out Kris Bryant and Rizzo.

Bryant was ejected in the fourth inning after arguing calls with home plate umpire Lance Barksdale.

Rodon worked four innings before right-hander Chris Beck entered in relief in the fifth. Rodon allowed four runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out a career high-tying 11.

Lackey walked Narvaez and gave up a double to right to Adam Engel with none out in the sixth to leave runners at second and third and end his day.

Carl Edwards Jr. entered and quelled the threat by striking out Tyler Saladino and Jose Abreu in a 1-2-3 relief inning.

"That's the game changer, that was the linchpin to the victory right there," said Maddon.

"He's still growing into becoming one of the best relief pitchers in the National League, but the strikeout with Abreu was very emotional for him. I think that's probably going to set him up going forward."

Lackey allowed two runs on five hits in five-plus innings. He struck out five and walked a pair.

The Cubs added two sixth-inning runs. Contreras singled to shallow center off Beck, driving home John Jay for a 5-2 lead. Beck then loaded the bases with a walk to Ian Happ and was pulled in favor of right-hander Gregory Infante.

Albert Almora Jr. greeted Infante with a sacrifice fly to left that drove in Rizzo for a 6-2 lead. Almora 's one-out double in the eighth brought home Happ from second to make it 7-2.

It was an occasionally ugly game as Lackey hit four White Sox batters, including three in a scoreless fifth. One White Sox batter was also hit by a pitch but there were no temper flareups and Lackey insisted he wasn't deliberately aiming at batters.

"If you look at the game, he didn't have any control inside all day, he threw a lot of balls way in, including mine," said White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson, who was hit in the fifth. "I don't think he was trying hit three guys in a row."

NOTES: White Sox rookie 3B Matt Davidson clubbed his 19th homer on Monday and is on pace to hit 32, which would rank third most by a White Sox rookie. ... Reliever Anthony Swarzak had made 225 career relief appearances without a save prior to Monday, when he earned the save in his 226th, a 3-1 White Sox victory. ... The White Sox will send RHP James Shields (2-2, 5.79 ERA) against Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (9-7, 4.11 ERA) on Wednesday as the annual city series moves to Guaranteed Rate Field for night games on Wednesday and Thursday. ... After RF Ben Zobrist collected his 500th extra-base hit on Tuesday, the next individual goal for a Cub is by Jason Heyward, who needs eight hits to reach 1,000 for his career. Heyward had Tuesday off. ... The Cubs improved to 6-7 in interleague play while the White Sox are 4-9.

Cubs' Hendricks returns to start opener vs. White Sox

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(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Kyle Hendricks is rested and ready as he returns to the Chicago Cubs' rotation on Monday for a start in the series opener against the Chicago White Sox.

Sidelined for seven weeks due to right hand tendinitis, the right-hander said he made profitable use of the time.

"I used it to get my body in shape, kept my cardio going, kept my shoulder work, so my arm is strong," Hendricks said. "I tried to take every positive out of it that I could."

Hendricks (4-3, 4.09 ERA) faces White Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (4-9, 4.89 ERA) in the first of four games between the city rivals, starting with a pair of day games at Wrigley Field.

Hendricks, who had the National League's lowest ERA (2.13) in 2016, has a ways to go to match that number. He is not raising his expectations for his first start since June 4.

"Time will tell, but obviously right now with the way things went, my finger is feeling good," Hendricks said. "Obviously, I would have liked to come back sooner, but I'm glad we took the course we did and hopefully it can pay off later down the road."

The Cubs (51-46) have been on a roll since returning from the All-Star break. They have won eight of nine, including a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday that propelled them into a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.

The White Sox (38-57) have lost nine straight and own the American League's worst record. They have shed several veterans in trades for prospects as the organization does a wholesale rebuild.

It is a familiar role for White Sox manager Rick Renteria, who oversaw a similar reconstruction project while managing the Cubs in 2014 before his dismissal when current manager Joe Maddon became available.

The Monday game will be Renteria's first visit to Wrigley Field as White Sox manager, but he was at the North Side ballpark last year while serving as bench coach under former manager Robin Ventura.

Renteria said last week that it will be a "bittersweet" return.

"This is where I got my first managing opportunity," he said. "But I really take away fond memories from being there, and now I happen to be on the South Side."

Gonzalez enters play Monday 1-9 with a 6.24 ERA over his past 10 starts. He has allowed five runs or more in six of those outings. He is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs, receiving a no-decision at home on July 25, 2016.

Hendricks is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox. He gave up three runs in 5 2/3 innings on the South Side on July 26, 2016.

The White Sox and Cubs split four games last year, with each team winning two at home.

The White Sox lead the all-time series, 57-51. The teams are 27-27 at Wrigley Field.

No matter the records, Hendricks is looking forward to the heightened attention the rivalry week brings.

"A lot of Cubs (fans) nowadays, but still all of the White Sox fans out there, too," he said. "It's always fun. Getting to drive down to the South Side too, go to that ballpark, it's fun for us. Kind of a home game in a way."

Moss walk-off double leads Royals past White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- While Brandon Moss got Sunday's walk-off hit, it was made possible by two Whit Merrifield home runs.

Moss hit a walk-off RBI double in the ninth inning as the Kansas City Royals edged the Chicago White Sox 5-4.

"Winning to me is always supreme to anything," Merrifield said. "That's why you play. I've always tried to do what I could to win. When the opportunity presents itself, all I'm trying to do is win the game."

Moss' double to right field off Tyler Clippard scored Lorenzo Cain. He was running for Mike Moustakas, who led off the inning with a single.

Merrifield's home run in the eighth off Dan Jennings tied it at 4.

"He's a weird at-bat because he's kind of jerky and quick," Merrifield said of Jennings. "I just tried to slow everything down and get the barrel to it. I fouled a couple of pitches off that were tough pitches.

"He threw a slider that was a decent pitch, was down, but I got extended and put the barrel on it. I knew I hit it good. Once I saw it backspinning and kind of carrying, I knew it was going to go."

Kelvin Herrera (3-2) pitched a spotless ninth to pick up the victory. Rookie Gregory Infante (0-1), who started the ninth for Chicago, took the loss.

The Royals blasted four home runs, including two Merrifield solo shots. Merrifield extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

"Whit's not just a good player late in the game," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He's a good player at the beginning of the game, in the middle of the game, at the end of the game. He gets up to the plate with the focus of putting together a good at-bat. And he knows how to go about and accomplish that."

Adam Engel hit a bases-clearing double in a four-run fifth inning as the White Sox took a 4-3 lead.

Tyler Saladino, Omar Narvaez and Yolmer Sanchez singled with one out of Travis Wood. Engel drilled a double down the left-line to score all three.

Kevin McCarthy was summoned to replace Wood and permitted a Jose Abreu RBI double that put the White Sox ahead.

Wood was charged with four runs, seven hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings.

"We were keeping them off balance in the earlier innings and I left a few pitches over the plate in the fifth," Wood said.

After facing the minimum number of batters the first three innings, White Sox left-hander Derek Holland gave up three straight homers to lead off the fourth.

Merrifield started it with a shot to left on a 2-0 count. Jorge Bonifacio hit his 13th, a full-count blast to left, and Eric Hosmer made it three in a row with a shot that landed in the White Sox right-field bullpen.

The last time the Royals hit three straight home runs was May 25, 2006. It was the second straight game the Royals hit three home runs in an inning.

"That one inning killed me," Holland said. "Obviously, back-to-back-to-back home runs is definitely going to take you out of it a little bit. Bu, I went out there and continued to fight through it.

"I'm not going to let something like that slow me down. The outcome wasn't what I wanted. It's very frustrating with all the work that me and Coop's (pitching coach Don Cooper) been doing. Just more of an angry approach right now. I'm not happy with that."

Holland, who had yielded 24 home runs in 102 innings, did not make it through the fifth. Anthony Swarzak replaced him after a Drew Butera double and a Merrifield walk.

"That's disappointing to go out there and not go at least five or six," Holland said. "When you don't execute you get taken out of the game. If anybody wants to blame anything, it's myself. To me, I think it's a poor performance. It needs to be better than that. It's very frustrating. As a starter myself, I've got to do better."

The White Sox have lost nine consecutive games. The Royals ended their 10-game homestand with five straight victories.

NOTES: The Royals have five players -- 3B Mike Moustakas, C Salvador Perez, 1B Eric Hosmer, DH Brandon Moss and RF Jorge Bonifacio -- on a pace to hit 20 home runs. If that occurs, it would be the first time in franchise history. ... Tyler Saladino started at shortstop for the second straight game with Tim Anderson on the White Sox bench. ... 2B Yoan Moncada struck out for the first time as a White Sox in the second inning in his 12th plate appearance. ... The White Sox open a four-game series Monday with the crosstown rival Cubs at Wrigley Field. White Sox RHP Miguel Gonzalez and Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks are the probables for the opener. ... The Royals open a nine-game trip Monday with the first three games at Detroit. Royals RHP Jason Hammel and Tigers RHP Justin Verlander are the Monday probables.

Cubs down Cardinals, grab share of first place

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Willson Contreras is doing just about everything for the Chicago Cubs these days, including leading them back into first place.

The catcher blocked one run in the first inning, slammed a go-ahead home run in the sixth and confidently handled new starter Jose Quintana and three relievers in Chicago's 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

"He's hitting fourth, he's catching, he's handling a really good pitching staff, he's throwing people out, he's blocking the ball really well," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "And he's hitting homers."

Chicago (51-46) moved into a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central and improved to a season-high five games over .500.

Contreras snapped a tie with a two-run home run, driving in Kris Bryant with his 15th, the top total among NL catchers.

"It feels great (but) it's not about me, it's about the team," Contreras said. "I'm not thinking about first place, I'm thinking about the game that we have tomorrow against the White Sox and keep doing what we've been doing."

The Cubs took two of three in the weekend series and caught Milwaukee (53-48) in the division with their eighth victory in nine games. Chicago has made up a 5 1/2-game deficit on the Brewers since the All-Star break.

The Cardinals (47-51) absorbed their fourth loss in five games and fell 4 1/2 games out in the NL Central.

"We're putting up some good games against some good teams, but something's not letting us finish it one way or the other -- whether it's enough offense or enough pitching and defense," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

"There's enough to be seen that I know the rest of the league knows this team's for real."

Cubs starter Jose Quintana, 2-0 since coming from the Chicago White Sox on July 13 and 6-8 overall, worked six innings for the victory. He allowed three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out seven.

"I was really excited tonight for being the first (game) at Wrigley," Quintana said. "First hitters, I was behind the counts, but I made adjustments."

Cardinals starter Michael Wacha (7-4) pitched six innings in his 100th career start. He allowed five runs on six hits, struck out six and gave up two home runs.

"Curveball was an effective pitch for me tonight, I got some swings and misses, got some big outs for me," Wacha said. "I left a couple cutters -- one cutter over the middle to (Kyle) Schwarber and one to Contreras, both homers."

Cubs closer Wade Davis gave up a leadoff single in the ninth before retiring the next three batters for his 20th save.

Bryant went 2-for-4 to lead the Cubs. Jedd Gyorko, Randal Grichuk and Paul DeJong each had two hits for the Cardinals.

St. Louis was denied in the first as Jason Heyward made a leaping grab at the wall in right for one out, and left fielder Schwarber and Addison Russell collaborated to stop Cardinals leadoff batter Matt Carpenter from reaching home on Gyorko's double with two gone.

Schwarber picked up the ball on a rebound and threw to Russell. The shortstop fired to catcher Contreras, who tagged Carpenter as the pair collided.

Carpenter did not return for the second inning due to right quad tightness. He was replaced by Luke Voit.

St. Louis got on the board in the second with Grichuk's two-run, one-out home run to center in the second. Grichuk, who now has five homers in his past seven games and 12 for the season, drove in Yadier Molina for a 2-0 lead.

The Cubs replied with a pair of third-inning runs as Russell doubled to lead off and came home on Heyward's RBI two-base hit to deep right with two outs. Heyward scored on Bryant's bloop single to right.

DeJong's 12th homer into the left field basket with two outs in the fourth opened a 3-2 St. Louis lead. Schwarber matched it in the bottom of the inning with his one-out blast deep into the right field bleachers for his 15th home run and first since July 14.

NOTES: The Cardinals wound up 4-6 on a road trip that ended Sunday. They open a seven-game home set on Monday as RHP Mike Leake (6-8, 3.39 ERA) goes against Colorado RHP Antonio Senzatela (10-3, 4.67 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series. ... The Cardinals and Cubs meet again in a three-game series in mid-September. ... The crosstown White Sox visit the Cubs for two interleague games on Monday and Tuesday. Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-3, 4.09 ERA) makes his first start since a seven-week stay on the disabled list after recovering from right hand tendinitis. He goes against White Sox RHP Miguel Gonzalez (4-9, 4.89 ERA). The teams travel to Guaranteed Rate Field for games on Wednesday and Thursday. ... The Cubs did not allow a run in the first inning for the ninth straight game. Until the All-Star break, they had given up 80 runs in the opening inning through 88 games.

Bryant keys Cubs' rally against Cardinals

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant made a swift return from a finger injury.

Then he quickly made an impact.

Bryant tied it with a broken-bat RBI single before scoring the go-ahead run on Anthony Rizzo's RBI double in the eighth inning as the Cubs rallied for a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

Bryant returned to the Cubs' lineup after missing Friday's game with a sprained left pinkie finger. He was injured on a headfirst slide on Wednesday.

"KB, being able to play was the difference in today's game," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "The combination of the hit and his speed. I don't think anybody else scores on that.

"You can't underestimate the importance of one person in the lineup."

A day after the Cardinals rallied in the eighth inning to beat the Cubs, Chicago scored three runs in the eighth to come back, including Ben Zobrist's RBI double.

Paul DeJong and Randal Grichuk hit back-to-back home runs off Jon Lester (7-6) in the eighth inning to put the Cardinals ahead. DeJong smacked a two-out solo shot to left field for his 11th of the season before Grichuk connected on his 11th.

"He was hitting spots all game, in and out, didn't give me much to hit," DeJong said of Lester. "(He) finally hung a breaking ball in my third at-bat. Happened to get it out in Wrigley. Kind of flicked it. He was good all day, we just had to battle."

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright threw seven scoreless innings before being charged with two runs in the eighth. He gave up four hits and no walks and struck out three in 7 2/3 innings.

"It was a great duel," Wainwright said about pitching against Lester. "I love being a part of something like that. I love matching up against great quality pitchers like him."

Wade Davis allowed two walks in the ninth before striking out Yadier Molina for his 19th save.

Matt Bowman (2-4) took the loss, as the teams have split the first two games of their three-game series. The Cardinals' bullpen has blown 14 saves this season.

Lester struck out 10, matching a season high, and allowed three hits and no walks in eight innings.

"To come back there at the end was big for us, especially coming out of the (All-Star) break playing so well," said Lester, who wore initials for "Play Like a Champion Today" on his hat to honor his uncle, a University of Notre Dame fan who died Friday.

Wainwright broke up Lester's perfect game with a single to left field with two outs in the sixth. Lester got Matt Carpenter to ground out to end the inning.

After allowing a Bryant single in the first inning and a Jason Heyward triple in the second, Wainwright retired 15 straight batters before third baseman Jedd Gyorko committed a fielding error in the eighth.

"He was fantastic, one of his best starts we've seen," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Wainwright. "It's shame we weren't able to finish it out."

Lester hit Molina with a pitch to begin the eighth but got a double play before allowing the two home runs. He has given up 17 home runs this season after allowing 21 in 2016.

Bryant singled in his first at-bat since returning from a finger injury.

"Our trainers are awesome," Bryant said. "Luckily, I haven't been in there too much in my career. They've done a really good job making me feel good really quick."

The Cubs had won a season-high six straight before the Cardinals took Friday's series opener 11-4.

NOTES: The Cubs recalled RHP Felix Pena from Triple-A Iowa and optioned INF Tommy La Stella to Triple-A Iowa. Pena joins the Cubs for the fourth time this season and gives the team 13 pitchers. He is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 relief outings. La Stella is hitting .298. ... The Cubs' rotation for their upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox will be RHP Kyle Hendricks on Monday, RHP John Lackey on Tuesday, RHP Jake Arrieta on Wednesday and LHP Jon Lester on Thursday. Hendricks (right hand tendinitis) has been on the disabled list since June 5. ... Cubs LHP Mike Montgomery will be available out of the bullpen. ... C Yadier Molina was back in the Cardinals' lineup after he was a late scratch Friday because of discomfort in his right ankle. ... Cardinals OF Jose Martinez was doing OK after a foul ball struck him near the temple during Friday's game while he was in the dugout, manager Mike Matheny said. Martinez underwent concussion tests.