Chicago White Sox vs Chicago Cubs

Chris Coghlan blasted a pair of home runs and drove home four, powering the Cubs to a 6-5 victory over the cross-town rival White Sox on Friday.

Not to be outdone, Samardzija quickly gave up the lead again in the fifth when he allowed back-to-back solo homers by Coghlan and Rizzo to put the Cubs ahead 6-5. And the Cubs won again even though Kyle Hendricks got knocked out in the fourth inning. And beyond Coghlan’s two homers and Anthony Rizzo’s 23rd round-tripper, Clayton Richard came out of the bullpen and shut the White Sox down for two innings after Kyle Hendricks had a poor outing.

Right-hander Pedro Strop was credited with a hold for stranding the tying run on second in the eighth with back-to-back strikeouts, and right-hander Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his 20th save, retiring the heart of the White Sox lineup in order. He gave two hard pumps with his right fist toward Alexei Ramirez, who had pointed at him from second base, before walking off the field. Arrieta is 2-1 with a 4.08 ERA and 21 strikeouts in his career against the White Sox. The Cubs’ first baseman is slashing at. The Chicago White Sox have split their last eight home games. “When you get the middle of the plate it’s going to cost you”. After Coghlan’s three-run homer in the third, the Sox found three runs of their own in the fourth. And the Tampa Bay Rays took care of the Sox in the first round, three game to one.

Samardzija’s rocky campaign has taken a sharp turn for the worse in his last two starts.

Cubs: Manager Joe Maddon said RHP Rafael Soriano (right shoulder inflammation) is getting close to pitching in simulated games and will then go on a rehab assignment.

Final note to the Cubs regarding Friday’s throwback uniforms (shown above), which, unlike the Sox who were all wearing No. 9 to honor the late Minnie Minoso, had the team’s usual uniform numbers on the back.

White Sox: INF Emilio Bonifacio (strained left oblique) was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and INF Leury Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

In three starts since the July 31 trade deadline, when the Sox opted to keep Samardzija, he has a 12.91 ERA.