Cubs Recap: White Sox ‘Sale’ past Cubs, clinch Crosstown Cup

Ace Chris Sale struck out 15 to lead the Chicago White Sox past the Chicago Cubs on Sunday afternoon, snapping the Cubs’ nine-game win streak.

After making opposing hitters look foolish all afternoon, Sale moves into first in the big leagues with 207 strikeouts on the year, an impressive mark given he’s tossed just 157 1/3 innings.

It marks the third-straight season the left-hander has eclipsed the 200-strikeout plateau, and in Sunday’s finale, it was easy to see how he’s managed this feat with such regularity.

A young Cubs offense that had scored just under six runs per game during its nine-game winning streak was left flailing about all afternoon, striking out a total of 18 times during the contest, which lasted two hours and 46 minutes.

The White Sox scored each of their three runs via the long-fly, with Alexei Ramirez, Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera each clubbing solo home runs to keep the Crosstown Cup on the South Side of Chicago.

Chicago (67-49) managed just three hits on the afternoon; every hitter in the lineup struck out at least once with the exception of Jonathan Herrera, who didn’t even get three at-bats after being pulled late in the contest.

Sale was particularly dominant against Cubs rookie Kris Bryant, who went 0-for-4 with a trio of punchouts in the loss.

The left-hander’s counterpart, veteran Dan Haren, was charged with three earned runs on seven hits in just 4 2/3 innings of work. Of those seven knocks, three left the yard, with the Sox launching their homers in the third, fourth and fifth innings, respectively.

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The only Cubs offense came with two outs in the ninth, when Jorge Soler, who struck out in a potential game-tying situation in his previous at-bat against Sale, took White Sox closer David Robertson deep for his sixth homer on the year, a solo blast.

However, the right-handed reliever settled down from there, setting down Starlin Castro for the final out of the contest.

Chicago’s 18 strikeouts at the dish tied a franchise record, which they also hit earlier this season on July 21 against the Reds (a 13-inning loss) and on May 2 against Milwaukee.

What’s Next:

The Cubs are off on Monday before returning to action at Wrigley Field to open a two-game series against the Detroit Tigers.

Right-hander Jason Hammel will take the ball for Chicago and is slated to be opposed by Anibal Sanchez of the Tigers.

Next: Cubs' Maddon setting the tone for a young team