Samardzija Struggles Again, White Sox Fall to Cubs 6-5

All these beatings are wearing on Jeff Samardzija, and this was particularly painful.

Samardzija gave up three home runs to his former team as the Chicago White Sox lost to the surging crosstown Cubs 6-5 on Friday.

"It hurts man," he said. "I take things personally. I enjoy having success. I enjoy doing well."

With an 0-3 record and 12.91 ERA in his past three starts, Samardzija (8-8) is struggling in a big way.

The longtime Cubs pitcher went six innings, allowing six runs and nine hits in his first appearance against his former team.

Chris Coghlan hit two home runs, Anthony Rizzo also went deep, and the North Siders made it eight straight wins and 14 in 15 games.

The Cubs, coming off a 7-0 homestand, extended their longest win streak since a nine-game run during the 2008 NL Central championship season.

Coghlan hit a three-run homer in the top of the third, and he and Rizzo added back-to-back solo drives off Samardzija in the fifth to give the North Siders a 6-5 lead.

Dexter Fowler tripled, double and scored two runs. Starlin Castro had three hits and made his first career start at second base. And the Cubs won again even though Kyle Hendricks got knocked out in the fourth inning.

Four relievers combined to shut down the White Sox the rest of the way, with Clayton Richard (3-0) working two innings.

Pedro Strop escaped a first-and-second jam in the eighth, striking out Adam Eaton and Tyler Saladino to end the inning. 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. Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 24 chances.

Hendricks gave up five runs and eight hits, including a home run by Eaton, in 3 1/3 innings

But with Samardzija getting hit hard yet again, the White Sox came up short after sweeping three games from the Los Angeles Angels.

"He goes through periods where he throws the ball well, spots it on the corners, and there are times he gets the middle of the plate," manager Robin Ventura said. "When you get the middle of the plate it's going to cost you."

The Cubs, trailing Pittsburgh by 1 1/2 games for the first NL wild card and leading San Francisco by 4 1/2 for the second when the day began, were up 4-2 after Coghlan's three-run homer in the third.

The White Sox answered with three in the fourth while chasing Hendricks, the big blow being a two-run homer by Eaton after Geovany Soto's RBI single. But two swings by Coghlan and Rizzo with two out in the fifth put the Cubs back on top, 6-5.

Coghlan's drive to center gave him two multi-homer games this season and five in his career. Rizzo followed with his 23rd homer and second in two games when he sent a drive to right.

It was the fourth time this season and second consecutive game that the Cubs hit back-to-back homers.

ON A SLIDE

Samardzija is on his longest losing streak since he dropped four consecutive starts from April 7-24, 2013.

HONORING GREATS

The White Sox paid tribute to late greats Minnie Minoso and Billy Pierce by wearing 1959 era throwback jerseys. All had Minoso's No. 9.

TRAINER'S ROOM

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.

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.

UP NEXT

Cubs: RHP Jake Arrieta (13-6, 2.38 ERA) has pitched a career-high 17 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings and is 7-1 in his past 10 starts.

White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana (6-9, 3.59) goes for his first career win against the Cubs. He is 0-2 in three starts against the North Siders.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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