Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/10/24): Cubs 3, White Sox 1 – Clutch Amaya Hit Leads to Mini-Sweep

The Cubs played another close game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field Saturday night. Unlike Friday’s contest, however, offense was much harder to come by in this one with just two runs scored through the first seven frames. Finally, the North Siders came through with a clutch hit in the top of the 8th to take the lead and eventually complete the season sweep of their crosstown rivals.

A very uncharacteristic error by sure-handed second baseman Nico Hoerner opened up the door for a rally by the South Siders in the bottom of the 2nd. Brooks Baldwin flared an RBI single just off the glove of Ian Happ in left to give the home team a 1-0 advantage. That was all Justin Steele would allow in this one, as he pitched six innings with just the one unearned run against him.

The Cubs had numerous chances to score against starter Chris Flexen and got nothing, stranding seven men on base against him. They finally broke through against left-handed reliever Jared Shuster with two outs in the 5th. Isaac Paredes ripped a double into the left field corner and Cody Bellinger attempted to score all the way from first. Baldwin cut off the throw at short and Bellinger appeared to be a dead duck at the plate, but the young infielder inexplicably never made a throw or even looked at the plate, allowing the runner to score without a play.

A walk and an infield single put two on with nobody out for the North Siders in the 8th and Pete Crow-Armstrong advanced them to second and third with a perfectly executed bunt. Catcher Miguel Amaya then punched a Chad Kuhl pitch just over the drawn-in infield for a go-ahead two-run single that put the road team ahead 3-1.

Closer Héctor Neris began the 9th inning with an error by dropping a routine throw from first baseman Michael Busch. Neris quickly atoned for that mistake, retiring the next three hitters in order to earn the save and complete the mini-sweep 3-1. (Box score)

Key Moment

Amaya had to avoid a strikeout with runners on second and third and one out in the 8th inning. He was able to put the ball in play and he got a really good outcome with the winning hit.

Why the Cubs Won

The pitching staff did a much better job against the terrible White Sox lineup and the hitters were able to execute in the 8th to bring in the winning runs.

Stats That Matter

• Steele was kind of shaky early but got better as the night went on: 6 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 H, 8 K, and 2 BB.
• Amaya also had a double and has been a completely different hitter the last month.
• Bellinger walked twice and singled in another productive performance.
• Dansby Swanson had two hits, including career hit 1,000, but his wife, Mallory, had a bigger day by scoring the game-winning goal of the Olympic gold medal soccer match.

Bottom Line

Games against the White Sox are never easy even when they are historically bad. Thankfully, the Cubs were able to take care of business and win both games to pull themselves within a single win of the .500 mark. Getting there would be the first step towards trying to force themselves into the playoff race. They still have a long way to go but at least they have gotten this far.

On Deck

After a very rare Sunday off day the Cubs head to Cleveland for three games against the Guardians beginning Monday at 5:40pm CT. Shōta Imanaga takes the hill against Ben Lively in a matchup available on Marquee and 670 The Score.