Leave it to the Cubs to wake up the White Sox. The Southsiders,who have been equally as inept all season, won their fourth straight 2-1 as the Cubs got blanked by Mark Buehrle,whom the rest of baseball has hit pretty hard since his perfect game last summer. Carlos Silva(8-1),who came into this game 8-0, but who was 4-10 lifetime against the White Sox,pitched well,but got no run support. In the top of the first,the Sox grabbed the lead again on one out singles by Alexi Ramirez,Alex Rios and Paul Konerko. The Cubs wasted chances against Buehrle in the bottom of the first and fourth innings(runners at first and second with no outs), the and the 7th(first and third with two gone). Derrick Lee,Marlon Byrd,Alfonso Soriano,Geovany Soto and pinch hitter Chad Tracy all fanned in clutch situations. The White Sox added a run in the 7th when Juan Pierre walked, appeared to be caught stealing second,but Starlin Castro missed the tag, and with two outs, Konerko hit a sinking fly ball into right center that Xavier Nady appeared to misjudge,and it dropped in front of him for an RBI single making it 2-0. The Sox wasted a bases loaded-one out threat against Andrew Cashner in the top of the 8th,but after falling behind Pierre 3-0, Cashner worked the count full and got Pierre to hit a come backer for an easy inning ending 1-2-3 double play.Buehrle(4-6) left after 6.2 innings giving up 8 hits and fanning 7 while not walking anyone.Bobby Jenks,who earned his 11th save,gave up the Cub run in the bottom of the ninth when with two gone, Soto walked,took second on defensive indifference,and scored on a bloop single to right by Ryan Theriot,but over matched Chad Tracy fanned to end the game.
NOTES—Attendance was 40,397….Bears QB Jay Cutler was the 7th inning guest conductor.
LES