Chicago Cubs drop finale as White Sox rally to avoid sweep

Despite taking an early lead yet again, the Chicago Cubs failed to finish off the rival White Sox, dropping the finale of the three-game weekend series.

Five seems to be the magic number for the Chicago Cubs. It marks both their longest winning and losing streak of the season. After a loss in Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox, the team missed its second chance in the last two weeks to push a win streak past five games.

The White Sox took the lead for good in the top of the sixth. Entering the inning trailing 3-2, Nicky Delmonico made up for two early strikeouts with an RBI triple, tying the game. Matt Davidson, who has been hot all weekend, followed with a deep sac fly to put the South Siders up 4-3.

Ricky Renteria’s club added an insurance run in the top of the seventh via a Leury Garcia RBI single off Brian Duensing. Here we are in mid-May and that tally marked the first against the Cubs left-hander this season.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

Chicago (21-16) took an early 2-0 lead after sending seven men to the plate in the bottom of the first. A pair of walks proved costly for Sox starter Lucas Giolito. After walking Ben Zobrist and Anthony Rizzo, the right-hander allowed a knock to Javier Baez. The Cubs infielder added to his league-leading RBI total – which now sits at 36.

On the mound, Kyle Hendricks battled all afternoon, leaving after six innings of three earned run ball. He did not walk a batter and struck out six. Really, he held the Sox at bat until the sixth, allowing just one earned run up to that point.

But what can you expect? When you manage only three base hits, you’re probably going to lose. It’s not rocket science. The offense failed to put their foot on the throat of Giolito in the early innings and it ultimately cost them a chance at a series sweep.

The team did draw seven walks – but without the big knock when they really needed it, those never came to matter much in the grand scheme of things.

What’s Next

Chicago battles Atlanta in a one-game makeup at Wrigley Field Monday afternoon. Jose Quintana (4-2, 4.42) battles right-hander Julio Teheran (3-1, 3.14) at 1:20 p.m. CT.

The Cubs then head to Atlanta to open a series with the Braves at Suntrust Park Tuesday night.