Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/27/21): White Sox 17, Cubs 13 – Wisdom’s Birthday Bash Crashed by Grandal in Slugfest

If you tuned into Friday night’s installment of the Crosstown Classic between the Cubs and White Sox, you were treated to quite the resplendent offensive feast as the teams combined to score 30 runs. The Cubs wasted no time getting to work and the Sox responded in kind as both teams traded runs throughout the game.

Michael Hermosillo walked to lead off the game, Frank Schwindel singled the other way, and birthday boy Patrick Wisdown tanked one 448 feet to the left field bleachers to prop the Cubs up with a 3-0 lead out the chute. After Sox starter Dallas Keuchel actually managed to get a couple guys out, the Cubs got back on the horse and delivered four straight singles as Austin Romine, Robinson Chirinos, Jason Heyward, and Andrew Romine combined to stake Cubs starter Keegan Thompson to a 6-0 lead.

A José Abreu RBI single got one back for the Sox as Tim Anderson scored in the bottom of the 1st, but that was all the Sox would get for the first two innings. They put up their own large crooked number on the scoreboard in the 3rd, plating eight runs on five hits, two errors, two HBPs, a walk, a Yasmani Grandal bomb to right, and a partridge in a pear tree. The Sox added four more runs in the bottom of the 5th on four hits and three walks, with Grandal’s two-run double serving as the big blow to make it 13-6 through five innings.

The Cubs started scoring again in the top of the 7th as Hermosillo blasted one into the bleachers in left to bring the Cubs back within two field goals, but an extra point for the Sox in the bottom of the 7th made it a touchdown game once again. Both teams then proceeded to put up field goals in the 8th and the Cubs mounted another comeback in the 9th against old pal Craig Kimbrel, lighting up their former closer with a barrage that included Wisdom’s second birthday bash of the night.

Unfortunately, it was too little and too late in the 17-13 loss. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

It certainly wasn’t for lack of offensive output. Honestly, despite 15 hits given up, the walks and errors were what should haunt the Cubs’ pitchers in this one.

Key Moment

It happens to the best of ’em, but Andrew Romine’s embarrassing dropped pop-up at short to extend the miserable 4th inning felt like a gut punch in a game with 30 runs.

Stats That Matter

• A Crosstown Classic record 30 runs were scored, thanks to 28 hits, 12 walks, 8 doubles, and 6 home runs.
• Wisdom had himself a birthday: 2-for-4 with three runs, two bombs, four RBI, and a walk. And a killer ‘stache.
• Happ stayed hot with a 2-for-5 night that included two homers. He’s now 14-for-31 with four home runs, five doubles, and 11 RBI since August 16. He’s also pulled himself over the Mendoza Line, hitting a robust .201 on the season.
• Grandal made his first start since coming off the IL and hit two home runs with eight RBI all by himself.
• Thanks to the AL rules and DH, every Cubs hitter in the game had a hit.

Bottom Line

This was another exciting game that ended in a Cubs’ loss. The offense can’t be blamed this time as they obliterated Sox pitching for a gaudy 13 runs. If you’re keeping track at home, the Cubs would pick seventh in the 2022 draft as it currently stands.

On Deck

Alec Mills takes the ball on Saturday night and he’ll square off against AL Cy Young hopeful Lance Lynn, who is 10-3 with a 2.20 ERA on the year. Game time is 6:10pm CT and will be broadcast on Marquee, NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN 1000, and 670 The Score.