Chicago Cubs avoid series sweep vs White Sox, win big 12-5

May 6, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder

(25) slides safely into third base as Chicago Cubs third baseman

(30) takes the throw during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs entered tonight’s game hoping to avoid the four-game series sweep against the Chicago White Sox. The first couple games of the series were neck and neck, but tonight’s game was a different story.

Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Mike Olt put on a show tonight on the South Side using their bats. Rizzo launched a two-run home run during the top of the third inning with the Cubs trailing 2-1 to take a 3-2 lead. Castro would take Scott Carroll deep during the top of the fourth inning to make it 6-2. Catcher Welington Castillo, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning, would get an opportunity to record his first hit of the night and a couple RBIs with the bases loaded.

Castillo would take another for the team as he was hit by another pitch, but picked up his first RBI of the night. Olt had the opportunity to help extend the Cubs’ 7-4 lead with the bases loaded and two outs shortly after Castillo was hit. Olt would take a 3-2 fastball deep to left field for a grand slam to make it 11-4 Cubbies.

Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta would only work through four innings tonight. Arrieta allowed the White Sox to pick up four runs (three earned) off nine hits before he was pulled from the game. The Cubs would use five pitchers from the bullpen.

Castillo would plate the final run of the ballgame for the Cubs during the top of the ninth to make it 12-4. The White Sox would score one run during the bottom of the ninth inning off pitcher Justin Grimm – who would be replaced by Wesley Wright.

Wright entered the game with two outs and the bases loaded. The left-handed reliever was able to get Alejandro De Aza to chase a high two-seam fastball to end the game.

Winning pitcher tonight is Brian Schlitter (2-0, 2.84 ERA) while Scott Carroll (1-2, 3.63 ERA) picked up the loss.

Chicago Cubs improve to 11-21.