Aroldis Chapman: Chapman goes 1 1/3 to earn first Cubs save

Ranaudo allowed three runs and two hits – both homers – in 6 2/3 innings and smacked an opposite-field homer in the fifth for his first major league hit to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale, left, and starting pitcher John Lackey pass each other after Sale fielded a ground ball by Lackey and threw him out first to end the second inning of a baseball game Thursd. Chapman, in his second appearance since being acquired from the Yankees, struck out two and consistently hit 102 miles per hour in his first save for his new team.

Ben Zobrist hit a tie-breaking RBI single with one out in the third for the Cubs. The White Sox scratched Sale, sent him home and later suspended him five days for “insubordination and for destroying team equipment”. The left-hander said they were uncomfortable and became enraged when the team wouldn’t switch them out. “We’ve seen examples of that before, but I know him to be a good kid and I’m looking for him to get back and move on and keep going”. The next four games could very well decide the fate of several players as Hahn said last Thursday the club is open-minded in trade talks and sick of being “mired in mediocrity”. I tried to bring it up and say, ‘Hey listen, these are my thoughts and concerns, ‘ and they got pushed away because of the business deal that was set in place.

Sale even found his way at the plate, recording his second career hit on this weird play. “[Cubs right-hander John] Lackey [one run allowed on four hits] was just better tonight”.

Tyler Saladino doubled off former closer Hector Rondon in the eighth.

Sale later told MLB.com that he stood by his actions and suggested manager Robin Ventura should have stood up for him.

Cubs: With OF Jorge Soler (hamstring) close to returning, the team will have a hard roster decision. “This hasn’t changed that”, Ventura said. If I am the Yankees, I will push to make that trade because not only are you getting someone who is proven in Chris Sale, you are also getting someone who is younger.

Minnesota is in a cross roads right now as they are playing some of their best baseball of the season but it seems like they are generating success because there is no pressure to contend with as they are so far back in the AL Central.

The White Sox are 8-1 against the Twins this season, outscoring Minnesota by a 45-24 margin in those games. Melky Cabrera has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games and is 11-for-25 against Ricky Nolasco, who is scheduled to start for the Twins in the series opener.

Kris Bryant, who homered against Sale in the All-Star Game, hit an RBI double off the center field wall in the first.