Game Ninety-Nine – Cubs 0, White Sox 3
WP – James Shields (5-12) LP – Kyle Hendricks (9-7) Save – David Robertson (24)
The Cubs offense could not figure out James Shields while the Sox jumped on the few mistakes Kyle Hendricks made. The Cubs managed only four hits and were shut out for the fifth time this season, first since May 31. All three of the Sox runs were charged to Hendricks as the Cubs lost on the South Side for the second day in a row.
The White Sox celebrated retaining the Crosstown Cup for the third year in a row. And Jerry Reinsdorf will be extremely happy about his baseball team earning a trophy this season.
Kyle Hendricks did not pitch poorly. He really only made three mistakes during his 5 2/3 innings. Hendricks walked Adam Eaton in the first inning and he scored the game’s first run on a single by Jose Abreu. Eaton launched a solo home run in the fifth.
Joe Maddon lifted Hendricks with two outs in the sixth after Todd Frazier reached on a bloop single to shallow right. Anthony Rizzo raced out with his back toward the infield, but could not make what would have been a sensational catch. Maddon went to his pen with Hendricks inching closer to the 100-pitch mark.
Travis Wood could not find the strike zone. It appears Wood’s heavy workload could be getting to him. Plus he was really lucky early in the season and is due some regression. Wood issued three straight free passes and the third walk forced in Frazier.
Kyle Hendricks was charged with three runs on six hits and two walks. Hendricks struck out seven on 97 pitches, 64 for strikes.
Joe Nathan and Pedro Strop were two bright spots on what was a bad night for the Cubs. Nathan made his second appearance and retired the Sox in order in the seventh. Strop recorded three outs on 10 pitches, six for strikes, in the eighth.
The Cubs offense was non-existent. James Shields owned the Cubs. As Pedro Martinez would say, Shields is Kris Bryant’s daddy. Shields struck out Bryant three more times. After the 0-for-4 night, Bryant is 1-for-10 against Shields with seven strikeouts.
The Cubs managed four hits, all singles, and four walks. Counting a catcher’s interference that allowed Tommy La Stella (1-for-2) to reach, and that’s nine baserunners. The Cubs were 0-for-3 and left eight men on base.
The Cubs once against struggled with hitting a changeup, and James Shields has a good one.
Anthony Rizzo (1-for-3 with a walk), Addison Russell (1-for-3 with a walk) and Jason Heyward (1-for-3) had the Cubs other three hits.
It’s pretty obvious after watching the first two games how much more this series means to one team over the other.
With Tuesday’s loss, the Cubs dropped to 59-40 on the season.
The Crosstown Cup Series moves to Wrigley for the last two games. Jason Hammel is scheduled to face Anthony Ranaudo on Wednesday night (7:05pm CDT).