Arrieta dominates White Sox in first-half finale
CHICAGO -- Jake Arrieta did it all Sunday, striking out nine in his second complete game of the season and hitting his first career home run to lead the Cubs to a 3-1 Interleague victory Sunday over the White Sox and avoid being swept in the crosstown series.
Arrieta gave up two hits, including a leadoff double by Carlos Sanchez in the sixth. Sanchez eventually scored on White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton's sacrifice bunt. Arrieta also went the distance June 21 against the Twins.
"His stuff is definitely in the elite level of all Major League pitchers," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He hits homers, puts down a perfect sacrifice bunt in a single bound -- he just had a wonderful day."
Jose Quintana took the loss, ending the White Sox four-game winning streak in front of 41,688, the largest crowd of the season at Wrigley Field.
"We played well the last two weeks," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "We had a good run at it going into the break. We played well, we pitched well, we played defense and scored some runs when we needed to. Today, we just ran into a really good pitcher." More >
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Good start: Dexter Fowler singled to lead off the game for the Cubs, his 800th career hit, and scored one out later on All-Star Kris Bryant's triple down the left-field line. Jorge Soler followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0. The White Sox now have been outscored, 67-27, in the first inning this season. It was the first time the Cubs led in the three-game series.
Video: CWS@CHC: Bryant opens scoring with RBI triple to left
No aid for Quintana: As the case has been much of this season, Quintana posted a quality start without enough run support for the win. The left-hander lasted 7 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits for his 14th quality outing of the season. It marked the fifth time the White Sox have scored two runs or fewer in a quality start from Quintana.
"He always pitches good," Ventura said. "He had the rough first inning and the homer to Arrieta, but other than that, he always seems to give you a chance. Right there at the end, he's tough. He doesn't always cave in to the fact that we haven't scored much for him or the no-decisions, he just goes out and pitches."
Video: CWS@CHC: Quintana strikes out nine in strong start
Doing it all: Arrieta fell behind, 0-2, against Quintana in the fifth when he connected on his first Major League home run to open a 3-0 lead. It's the first homer by a Cubs pitcher this season, and the first since Travis Wood hit one last July 25 against the Cardinals. On the mound, Arrieta retired the first 10 batters he faced before Tyler Saladino singled. The right-hander became the first Cubs pitcher to win 10 games before the All-Star break since Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano both did so in 2008. The 10 wins matches Arrieta's career high, set in 2011 with the Orioles and last season.
"I would've liked to have hit the first one knowing it was a homer instead of having to sprint to first," Arrieta said. "It was cool to do it at home during a day game right before the break and finish the whole game. It's a special day." More >
Video: CWS@CHC: Arrieta swats his first Major League homer
Sanchez Shines: Sanchez's double wasn't a head-turner, but it did cap a successful stretch for the young second baseman. Over the course of the series, Sanchez finished with four hits -- seven in his past six games -- and supplied much-needed defense for the White Sox.
QUOTABLE
"I would say it wears our manager down more than anything. He's probably got a little different heart rate right now that he did at the start of the year, unfortunately. Hopefully we can turn that around for him." -- White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche, on his team's eighth game in the last 10 decided by two runs or fewer
"To go into the break with that win under our belt, some momentum, it's nice, and now guys will get a few days off, get to watch Bryant and [Anthony] Rizzo do some things special in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game and then come to Atlanta ready to play." -- Arrieta
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Cubs honored Hall of Famer Ernie Banks by wearing throwback uniforms from 1958, and every player and coach wore Banks' No. 14. When the crosstown series resumes at U.S. Cellular Field on Aug. 14, the White Sox will wear throwback uniforms and No. 9 to honor Minnie Minoso. Both Banks and Minoso passed away this offseason.
Video: CWS@CHC: The broadcast remembers the late Ernie Banks
"Everybody was wearing No. 14 today -- you can't lose, can you?" Maddon said.
REPLAY REVIEW
In the Cubs' eighth, Fowler singled and slid into third on Rizzo's base knock. But Fowler was called out by third-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after a strong throw from Eaton. After a review, the call stood and Fowler was out.
Video: CWS@CHC: Eaton throws out Fowler at third base
WHAT'S NEXT
White Sox:The White Sox begin the second half of their season with a doubleheader on Friday against the American League Central-leading Royals. Jeff Samardzija will get the nod in Game 1 before John Danks takes the mound in Game 2. First pitch for the afternoon contest is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT, while the night game is slated for 7:10 p.m. CT
Cubs: After the All-Star break, the Cubs hit the road to face the Braves. Kyle Hendricks will get the second half started. The right-hander has not given up a run in his last three starts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT.
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