Aug. 15--The summary
The Cubs extended their winning streak to eight games with a 6-5 victory at U.S. Cellular Field Friday in the first game of a weekend series. The Cubs have won 14 of their last 15 ganes. The White Sox had a three-game winning streak snapped.
On the mound
Jeff Samardzija started for the White Sox as he faced his former team for the first time. The Cubs sent righthander Kyle Hendricks, who lasted just 3 1/3 innings. Samardzija went six innings, allowing six runs on 9 hits. He walked two, struck out five and gave up three homers.
At the plate
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Schwarber. The Sox went ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the first on a 2-run double by Avisail Garcia. The Cubs regained the lead 4-2 on a three-run homer by Chris Coghlan in the third inning. The Sox scored three times in the fourth inning to back out in front 5-4. Adam Eaton hit a two-run homer.
Back-to-back homers by Coghlan and Anthony Rizzo put the Cubs on top 6-5 in the fifth.
In the field
Sox rightfielder Avisail Garcia charged a sinking line drive off the bat of leadoff man Dexter Fowler, who wound up with a triple in the first inning.
The number
9: The White Sox honored the late Minnie Minoso by wearing his No. 9 on their uniforms.
Key at-bat
Jose Abreu struck out with the bases loaded in the second inning. Tyler Saladino was struck out by Pedro Strop with two men on and two outs in the eighth inning.
The quote
"It's a good roll. I mean, obviously, they have been playing well. They've been getting a lot of contributions from a lot of different guys."--Sox manager Robin Ventura on the Cubs' winning streak.
Up Next
Cubs at White Sox, 6:10 p.m., CSN
fmitchell@tribpub.com
