Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox 07/26/2023

​Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is the 2nd game of the Windy City Series, between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.
 
Cubs are fighting to be contenders for the postseason. The North Siders are 2 games under .500. And they are 6.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central and 4.5 GB behind the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Marlins for the final NL Wild Card. They look to sweep the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate and then head to St. Louis, for a 4-game series against the Cardinals.
 
The White Sox are struggling. They are looking more and more like sellers as they are 20 games under .500, 15.5 GB of the Final AL Wild Card and 12 GB for the AL Central Lead.
 
Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of right-handers. Cubs will start Marcus Stroman. While the White Sox will go with Lance Lynn.
 
It is the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, coming up shortly.
 
Starting Lineups:
Chicago Cubs:

1. Mike Tauchman (LHB), CF
2. Nico Hoerner (RHB), 2B
3. Ian Happ (SHB), LF
4. Cody Bellinger (LHB), 1B
5. Seya Suzuki (RHB), RF
6. Dansby Swanson (RHB), SS
7. Christopher Morel (RHB), DH
8. Miles Mastrobouni (LHB), 3B
9. Tucker Barnhart (SHB), C

 
Chicago White Sox:

1. Andrew Benintendi (LHB), LF
2. Tim Anderson (RHB), SS
3. Luis Robert, Junior (RHB), CF
4. Eloy Jiménez (RHB), DH
5. Yoán Moncada (SHB), 3B
6. Andrew Vaughn (RHB), 1B
7. Jake Burger (RHB), 2B
8. Oscar Colás (LHB), RF
9. Seby Zavala (RHB), C

MLB: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox 07/26/2023

Cubs are in their traveling gray uniforms, with blue caps with a red and white outlying 'C' on the hat. While the White Sox are in their alternate black jerseys, caps, and white with black pinstripe pants. 

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Tauchman 
2. Hoerner
3. Happ
Lance Lynn (RHP) now starting as White Sox Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 7:11 pm CDT.
Tauchman flies out to Colas (2 pitches). 1 out.
Hoerner hits an infield single to short center field (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Happ draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Hoerner advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
WHITE SOX MOUND VISIT #1: Mound Visits Remaining (MVR)-CHC 5, CHW 4
Bellinger pops out to Robert (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Suzuki strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 1st Inning:
CHC 0, CHW 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Benintendi
2. T. Anderson
3. Robert
Marcus Stroman (RHP) now starting as Cubs Pitcher.
​Benintendi gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 1 out.
Anderson grounds out to Hoerner (2 pitches).
MANAGER'S CHALLENGE: Pedro Grifol challenging the call at first. Call overturned. Anderson safe at first. Runner on 1st.
Robert doubles to left center field (2 pitches). Anderson moves to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
2-RUN-SINGLE: Jimenez hits a 2-run single to center field (4 pitches). Anderson & Robert score. Runner on 1st. CHC 0, CHW 2
Moncada gets called out on strikes (7 pitches). 2 outs.
Vaughn hits a 2-out single to left field (7 pitches). Jimenez advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
CUBS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR-CHC 4, CHW 4
Berger grounds out to Stroman (2 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox scored a pair of runs, but stranded a pair of base runners.

End of 1st Inning:
CHC 0, CHW 2

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
6. Swanson
7. Morel
8. Mastrobouni
Lynn currently at 19 pitches.
​Swanson grounds out to Moncada (4 pitches). A spectacular throw by Moncada. 1 out. 
Morel gets hit by a pitch (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Mastrobouni singles to left center field (6 pitches). Mastrobouni advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by Robert. Morel advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
RBI-SINGLE: Barnhart hits a RBI-Single to right field (2 pitches). Morel scores. Mastrobouni advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. CHC 1, CHW 2
Tauchman gets called out on strikes (7 pitches). 2 outs.
RBI-SINGLE: Hoerner hits a RBI-Single to center field (1 pitch). Mastrobouni scores. Barnhart advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. CHC 2, CHW 2
STOLEN BASE: With Happ at-bat, Hoerner steals 2nd Base. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Happ flies out to Benintendi (10 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs scored a pair of runs, off a hit by pitch and a fielding error. 

Middle of 2nd Inning:
CHC 2, CHW 2

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Colas
9. Zavala
1. Benintendi, 0-1
Stroman currently at 26 pitches.
Colas grounds out to Hoerner (2 pitches). 1 out.
Zavala grounds out to Mastrobouni (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Benintendi draws a base on balls (8 pitches). Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Anderson at-bat, Benintendi steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd. 
RBI-SINGLE: Anderson hits a RBI-Single to left field (7 pitches). Benintendi scores. CHC 2, CHW 3
Robert flies out to Suzuki (2 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox took advantage a Bellinger brain fart and scored a run, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
CHC 2, CHW 2

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Bellinger, 0-1
5. Suzuki, 0-1
6. Swanson, 0-1
Lynn currently at 50 pitches.
Bellinger grounds out to Berger (6 pitches). 1 out.
Suzuki flies out to Robert (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Swanson strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.


Middle of 3rd Inning:
CHC 2, CHW 3

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Jimenez, 1-1, 2 RBI
5. Moncada, 0-1
6. Vaughn, 1-1
Stroman currently at 47 pitches.
Jimenez gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 1 out.
Moncada grounds out off Stroman and to Stroman (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Vaughn grounds out to Mastrobouni (2 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.


End of 3rd Inning:
CHC 2, CHC 3

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Morel, 0-0
8. Mastrobouni, 1-1
9. Barnhart, 1-1
Lynn currently at 65 pitches.
MLB Scores:
Morel grounds out to Moncada (4 pitches). 1 out.
Mastrobouni flies out to Anderson (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Barnhart strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
​Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.


Middle of 4th Inning:
CHC 2, CHW 3

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Burger, 0-1
8. Colas, 0-1
9. Zavala, 0-1
Stroman currently at 60 pitches.
HOME RUN: Jake Burger hits a solo home run off Marcus Stroman (1 pitch). CHC 2, CHW 4
​Colas singles to center field (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Zavala strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 1 out.
STOLEN BASE: With Benintendi at-bat, Colas steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Benintendi singles to center field (2 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
CUBS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR-CHC 3, CHW 4
Javier Assad (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Anderson draws a bases loaded walk (6 pitches). 
CUBS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR-CHC 2, CHW 4
Robert reaches on a RBI-Fielder's Choice (1 pitch). Colas scores. Benintendi & Anderson move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. CHC 2, CHW 5
2-RUN-DOUBLE: Jimenez hits a 2-run double down the left field line (3 pitches). Benintendi & Anderson score. Robert advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. CHC 2, CHW 7
PITCHING CHANGE: Javier Assad (RHP) replaces Marcus Stroman, as Cubs Pitcher.
​Moncada strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Vaughn grounds out to Bellinger, unassisted (5 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox scored 4 runs, in their half of 4th Inning.

End of 4th Inning:
CHC 2, CHW 7

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Tauchman, 0-2
2. Hoerner, 2-2, RBI
3. Happ, 0-1
Lynn currently at 77 pitches.
Netherlands Leading USWNT 1-0 in 1st Half Stoppage Time 
Tauchman hits an infield single (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Hoerner gets hit by a pitch (1 pitch). Tauchman advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
RBI-SINGLE: Happ hits a RBI-Single to left field (1 pitch). Tauchman scores. Hoerner advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. CHC 3, CHW 7
Bellinger flies out to Colas (1 pitch). Hoerner advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. 1 out.
Joe Kelly (RHP) warming up in White Sox Bullpen.
Suzuki draws a bases loaded walk (6 pitches). 
WHITE SOX MOUND VISIT #2: MVR-CHC 2, CHW 3
Swanson strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
RBI-SINGLE: Morel hits a RBI-Single to left field (3 pitches). Hoerner scores. Happ scores on the fielding error by Benintendi. Suzuki advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. CHC 5, CHW 7
PITCHING CHANGE: Joe Kelly (RHP) replaces Lance Lynn, as White Sox Pitcher.
STOLEN BASE: With Mastrobouni at-bat, Morel steals 2nd Base. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Mastrobouni strikes out swinging (6 pitches). Mastrobouni advances to first and Suzuki scores on a wild pitch by Kelly. Morel advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. CHC 6, CHW 7
PINCH-HITTING: Yan Gomes pinch-hitting for Tucker Barnhart.
STOLEN BASE: With Gomes at-bat, Mastrobouni steals 2nd Base. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Gomes gets hit by a pitch (8 pitches). Bases Loaded.
Tauchman draws a RBI-Walk (7 pitches). Morel scores. Mastrobouni, and Gomes move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. CHC 7, CHW 7
WHITE SOX MOUND VISIT #3: CHC 2, CHW 2
Aaron Bummer (LHP) warming up in White Sox Bullpen.
Hoerner draws a RBI-Walk. Mastrobouni scores. Gomes & Tauchman move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. CHC 8, CHW 7
PITCHING CHANGE: Aaron Bummer (LHP) replaces Joe Kelly, as White Sox Pitcher.
​Happ flies out to Colas (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs scored 6 runs, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
CHC 8, CHW 7

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Burger, 1-2, HR, RBI
8. Colas, 1-2
9. Zavala, 0-2
Assad currently at 8 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Yan Gomes stays in the game at catcher.
Burger fouls out to Bellinger (5 pitches). 1 out.
Colas lines out to Tauchman (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Zavala grounds out to Hoerner (5 pitches). 3 outs.
​White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.


End of 5th Inning:
CHC 8, CHW 7

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Bellinger, 0-3
5. Suzuki, 0-2
6. Swanson, 0-3
Bummer currently at 4 pitches.
Bellinger lines out to Anderson (6 pitches). 1 out.
Suzuki draws a base on balls (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Swanson at-bat, Suzuki steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Kendall Graveman (RHP)  warming up in White Sox Bullpen.
Swanson strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Morel strikes out swinging (8 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs strand a base runner.

Middle of 6th Inning:
CHC 8, CHW 7

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Benintendi, 1-2
2. T. Anderson, 2-2, RBI
3. Robert, 1-3, RBI
​PITCHING CHANGE: Julian Merryweather (RHP) replaces Javier Assad, as Cubs Pitcher.
Benintenti grounds out to Hoerner (3 pitches). 1 out.
T. Anderson grounds out to Bellinger (3 pitches). Bellinger to Merryweather on the putout. 2 outs.
Robert strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.


End of 6th Inning:
CHC 8, CHW 7

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Mastrobouni, 1-3
9. Gomes, 0-0
1. Tauchman, 1-3, RBI
​PITCHING CHANGE: Kendall Graveman (RHP) replaces Aaron Bummer, as White Sox Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
Mastrobouni grounds out to Anderson (3 pitches). 1 out.
Gomes doubles to the left field corner (4 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Tauchman strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 2 outs.
Hoerner lines out to Anderson (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs strand a base runner.

Middle of 7th Inning:
CHC 8, CHW 7

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Jimenez, 2-3, 4 RBI
5. Moncada, 0-3
6. Vaughn, 1-3
Merryweather currently at 10 pitches.
Jimenez gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 1 out.
Moncada singles to right field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
Vaughn fouls out to Bellinger (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Mark Leiter, Junior (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Burger grounds out to Mastrobouni (2 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox strand a base runner.

End of 7th Inning:
CHC 8, CHW 7

Top of 8th Inning;
Due Up:
3. Happ, 1-3, RBI
4. Bellinger, 0-4
5. Suzuki, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Keynan Middleton (RHP) replaces Kendall Graveman, as White Sox Pitcher.
HOME RUN: Happ hits a solo home run off Keynan Middleton (1 pitch). CHC 9, CHW 7
​HOME RUN: Bellinger hits a solo homer off Keynan Middleton (5 pitches). Back-to-Back Jacks for the Cubs! CHC 10, CHW 7
​USWNT and Netherlands Played to 1-1 Draw 
Suzuki draws a base on balls (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
WHITE SOX MOUND VISIT #4: MVR-CHC 2, CHW 1
Swanson strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 1 out.
With Morel at-bat, Suzuki gets caught stealing by Zavala. Zavala to Burger on the putout. 2 outs.
Morel gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs get back-to-back jacks by Happ & Bellinger. 

Middle of 8th Inning:
CHC 10, CHW 7

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Colas, 1-3
9. Zavala, 0-3
1. Benintendi, 1-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Mark Leiter, Junior (RHP) replaces Julian Merryweather, as Cubs Pitcher.
Colas strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Gavin Sheets pinch-hitting for Seby Zavala.
Sheets flies out to Tauchman (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Adbert Alzolay (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Benintendi flies out to Tauchman (6 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.


End of 8th Inning:
CHC 10, CHW 7

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Mastrobouni, 1-4
9. Gomes, 1-1
1. Tauchman, 1-4, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Touki Toussaint (RHP) replaces Keynan Middleton, as White Sox Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Yasmani Grandal replaces Gavin Sheets at catcher. 
Mastrobouni grounds out to Toussaint (5 pitches). 1 out.
Gomes grounds out to Toussaint (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Tauchman grounds out to Moncada (8 pitches). 3 outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 9th Inning.


Middle of 9th Inning:
CHC 10, CHW 7

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
2. T. Anderson, 2-3, RBI
3. Robert, 1-4, RBI
4. Jimenez, 2-4, 4 RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Adbert Alzolay (RHP) replaces Mark Leiter, Junior, as Cubs Pitcher.
​Anderson lines out to Swanson (2 pitches). 1 out.
Robert grounds out to Swanson (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Jimenez grounds out to Swanson (5 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, to end the Game.


Final:
CHC 10, CHW 7
CHC: (50-51)
CHW: (41-62)
W: Assad (1-2)
L: Kelly (1-5)
SV: Alzolay (11)
PoG: Cubs Bullpen: 5.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 K, 0 BB
ToG: 3:18

Final Thoughts:
White Sox jumped to a 5-run lead. They feasted off Marcus Stroman.

But then Cubs Manager David Ross went to the Bullpen. The Cubs Bullpen slammed the door pitching 1-hit ball in 5.2 IP. Cubs scored 6 runs in the Top of 5th Inning. Then the insurance runs by Happ & Bellinger. And the Cubs swept the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. 

Cubs will head to St. Louis, to face the Cardinals. While the White Sox will host the Guardians. Both series start Tomorrow Night. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this post.