The Chicago Cubs clinched the season series from the Chicago White Sox on Friday with a 7-6 road win. On Saturday, the North Siders will try for a sweep of the teams' four meetings this year while attempting to keep their hot streak alive. The Cubs have won seven of nine, earning the latest victory behind a four-homer barrage.
Ian Happ led off the game with a homer, Cody Bellinger had a two-run blast later in the first inning and Isaac Paredes and Nico Hoerner went back-to-back in the third. Each homer came against White Sox starter Garrett Crochet, with three clearing the fence after the All-Star left-hander threw a cutter. "He's got an electric fastball and we did a nice job with the off-speed in the zone," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
The White Sox fell to 0-1 under interim manager Grady Sizemore, a former three-time All-Star center fielder who began the season as part of the team's coaching staff. Sizemore took the club's reins after the White Sox fired manager Pedro Grifol on Thursday in the second season of a three-year contract. "Every day you're trying to pick up something that gives you an edge," Sizemore said.
"I couldn't just list off a list here. Every day I'm trying to learn something new and try to gain more to help myself and help the team." Sizemore likely will be aiming to benefit himself with another organization, as the White Sox have indicated their intent to look at outside candidates to fill the managerial vacancy in the offseason.
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