Edwin Jackson dazzles as Cubs fall to White Sox, 5-1

May 6, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher

(36) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs and the White Sox closed out the two-game series at Wrigley Field Tuesday. It was the first two games of the four-game Crosstown Classic which will continue tomorrow at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tuesday’s contest marked the final game that future Hall of Fame first baseman Paul Konerko would play at Wrigley Field as an active player. That is unless the Cubs and White Sox meet up in the World Series. A man can only wish, am I right?

This game was deadlocked at one apiece as both starting pitchers Edwin Jackson and Hector Noesi were able to control opposing hitters until they were pulled. White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham finished tonight’s game 4-for-5, with his biggest hit of the night being a solo home run off reliever Neil Ramirez during the top of the eighth inning that gave his club the 2-1 lead. Right-hander Pedro Strop entered the game after the Cubs failed to even things up during the bottom of the frame.

Strop continued to struggle as he was charged with three earned runs that allowed the White Sox to grab themselves a comfortable 5-1 lead. Catcher Welington Castillo would call time during an at-bat with the count at 1-1 and called the trainer to the mound. Strop would end up leaving the game, handing the ball over to former starting pitcher Carlos Villanueva.

Cubs starting pitcher Edwin Jackson turned in his best start of the season, as he was able to get through seven solid innings. Jackson gave up six hits and was charged with just one earned run, fanning nine batters before he was pulled from the game.

Infielder Emilio Bonifacio would be the only Cubs hitter to plate a run – which came during the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at one apiece. Outfielder Junior Lake would come around to score after getting himself into scoring position by stealing second base. Lake now has four steals on the season.

The Cubs would be limited to just four hits on the night (Lake, Bonifacio, Rizzo, Castro) while Jackson and the bullpen combined to allow 11.

Former Cub Zach Putnam (1-0, 1.35 ERA) picked up his first win of the season, while Neil Ramirez (0-1, 2.25 ERA) was saddled with the loss.

The Cubs fall to 11-20 on the season, while the White Sox pull even at .500 at 17-17.