Cubs, Sox Add Fuel to Crosstown Rivalry
Sox win game, series in tense rubber match
Monday, Jun 29, 2009 | Updated 9:27 AM CST
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The plate umpire escorts Carlos Zambano back to the mound after he had words with Sox outfielder DeWayne Wise.
It wasn't that long ago that we were talking about how all of the fire had left the so-called Crosstown Classic between the Sox and the Cubs, but Sunday's game showed that it doesn't take much to ignite the match.
The Sox won the game handily, 6-0, but of most of the conversation will likely be focused on what happened during the game.
On Friday, two of the Cubs' legendary hotheads -- Lou Pinella and Milton Bradley -- created all the headlines after Pinella sent Bradley home after the outfielder threw a temper tantrum.
On Sunday, it was Zambrano -- no shrinking violet himself -- who threatened to stoke the fire.
It wasn't one of the righthander's better outings, giving up nine hits, including a homer to Alexei Ramirez. But it all unraveled in the sixth inning, when Chris Getz led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice.
With DeWayne Wise at the plate, Getz broke for home as Zambrano began his delivery of a pitch that sailed outside and past catcher Geovany Soto. The stolen base made it 4-0, and on the very next pitch, Zambrano hit Wise.
The umpire came out and got between Zambrano and Wise and then motioned and escorted Zambrano back to the mound. Cubs manager Lou Piniella went to the mound for a visit, and after Wise stole second and Scott Podsednik walked, he came out again to remove the emotional right-hander.
Sox starting pitcher John Danks plunked Ryan Freel to start the seventh, and the plate umpire issued a warning to both benches.
We'll see if there's any grudges still left when the two teams play a makeup game later in the season because of a previous rainout.
But more imporatantly, you have to look at the trajectory these two teams are on. The White Sox, who don't carry very many expectations, have won six of their last eight, while the Cubs, who are on a World Series or bust mission, have lost six of seven.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago
Posted Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 4:00 PM CST
