CHICAGO _ Willson Contreras vaulted the Cubs into sole possession of first place in the National League Central by hitting a grand slam and a solo home run in a 7-3 victory Wednesday night over the White Sox at cold and damp Wrigley Field.
Contreras hit a grand slam in the first inning off Lucas Giolito (10-2) and smacked a solo shot in the third. Giolito lost for the first time since April 6 against the Mariners. He allowed a season-high six earned runs with seven hits and three walks with nine strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. David Bote hit a solo homer in the fourth.
Jon Lester (6-5) survived a 32-pitch fourth inning. Leury Garcia led off the game with a home run off Lester.
The Cubs added an insurance run in the eighth as Addison Russell, who entered the game as part of a double switch, hit a single with two out and scored on a double by Kyle Schwarber.
James McCann hit his seventh home run for the Sox, and Yoan Moncada was 2 for 4 with a double and a triple.
The Cubs' win put them a half game ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central.
The Cubs open a four-game series Thursday night against the Mets at Wrigley Field. The Sox are off Thursday before opening a three-game series against the Rangers in Texas.
