The White Sox went from being the first American League team to clinch to stumbling into the seventh seed, but at least they showed some signs that they aren't entirely backing into the postseason.
The White Sox trailed 10-1 through seven, but they narrowed the score to 10-6 after eight, and a two-run shot by Yasmani Grandal made it a two-run game. A two-out single by Luis Robert even brought the tying run to the plate, but because Angel Hernandez's awful umpiring crew hadn't really reared its ugly head today, Will Little rung up Nomar Mazara on a pitch outside the zone to end the game.
It was nice to see Robert resuscitate his season line with a three-hit game, for Engel to hit an opposite-field blast with Eloy Jiménez still ailing, and an effective 1⅔ innings from Carlos Rodón out of the pen. But it didn't help that the White Sox offense was kept in check by the Cubs' better arms through the first seven innings. Engel's solo shot off Adbert Alzolay was the only run they could muster through seven, with even Jose Quintana holding down the fort from the left side.
Meanwhile, Reynaldo López recorded a 1-2-3 first, but only one out during a six-run second. He gave up four hits and three walks over the course of eight batters, including two homers. The early hole compelled Rick Renteria to use his lesser relievers to get through the game, but that plan crumbled when Gio González left the seventh inning with an apparent elbow injury, forcing Codi Heuer and Matt Foster to handle the rest. (Update: The White Sox say it's a shoulder issue.)
The White Sox's loss, paired with a Cleveland victory over Pittsburgh and a Minnesota loss to Cincinnati, means they're heading to Oakland for their first journey outside the Central divisions all season.
Bullet points:
*Edwin Encarnación finished his season below the Dunn line, falling to .157 after an 0-for-4, three-strikeout game.
*Jimmy Cordero made one fantastic play, eliminating the lead runner at third with a great throw while falling down. He stranded the inherited runners, but as has happened a few times this season, it all fell apart when he returned for a fresh inning, including his own throwing error.
*The Cubs retain possession of the Crosstown Cup by splitting the series.
