Game Recap: PCA drives in six as Cubs crush White Sox

David Banks - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 6 hours ago

CHICAGO - Baseball is a long season, and every team will go through its ups and downs during that time. The Chicago Cubs (26-19) have been dealing with the downs as of late, especially regarding the offensive side of their game. Given how good their offense has been this season, you knew at some point they would figure it out, and perhaps a weekend series against the Chicago White Sox (14-31) is just what the doctor ordered.

In front of a packed Wrigley Field house for the first of six Crosstown Cup games this season, Friday had more of a summer vibe, especially when you look at the weather conditions. Not only was the temperature in the mid-80s, but with the wind howling out at close to 30 MPH, this had all the makings of being a high-scoring affair. The Cubs, especially Pete Crow-Armstrong, took that to heart as they backed Cade Horton with 13 runs of support in a 13-3 win.

Six of those RBIs came from Crow-Armstrong, who seems to be getting acclimated to the leadoff spot well. Making his second appearance, but first start, Horton was ready to roll as he was about to pitch in front of the home fans for the first time this season. Despite allowing a pair of homers to Miguel Vargas, Horton did just enough to grab his second win, going five innings and allowing two runs.

All three of those runs came from Vargas, who connected for a two-run shot in the first to put the White Sox in front 2-0. Given how tough Shane Smith can be at times, a two-run deficit may not seem like a ton, but he has shown all season how good he can be on the mound. Even with him making quick work of the Cubs in the first, it didn't take the Cubs long to settle in offensively as they erupted for six runs in the second inning and never looked back.

Michael Busch led things off with a single before advancing to third on a Carson Kelly double, putting a pair of runners on with no outs. That is when things began to change in favor of the Cubs as Moises Ballesteros and Nico Hoerner delivered a pair of RBI Fielder's choice plays to tie things up 2-2. The big blow in the inning came from Crow-Armstrong, whose big day was just getting started with a three-run shot to put the Cubs in front for good, 5-2.

The Cubs weren't done adding to their lead with Kyle Tucker picking up a triple immediately after that homer before coming home on the Suzuki double as the Cubs scored six times in the second to open up a 6-2 lead. Already with one homer under his belt, Vargas got to Horton again in the third as his solo shot pulled the White Sox within 6-3. Those were the only runs of the day for the White Sox as the Cubs ended the game with seven unanswered runs.

Despite that rough inning, Smith pitched much better than his line would indicate as he got through the final three innings of his start without allowing a run and was only charged with one earned run through five. He walked one and struck out five as his ERA continues to be one of the best in baseball at 2.05.

With both starters out after five innings, this game would come down to the bullpens, and that is the lone advantage the Sox have over the Cubs in this series. However, this was one of those days where the Cubs' offense came to play as they scored seven runs across the next three innings against the Sox pen.

Two of those runs came in the sixth with Crow-Armstrong adding to his game with an RBI single ahead of the Seiya Suzuki sacrifice fly that had the Cubs in front 8-3. The Cubs continued to add on in the seventh as the one-out walk from Moises Ballesteros was followed up by a Hoerner double, and once again, the Cubs offense was threatening as they had two more runners in scoring position.

As was the case all game long, Crow-Armstrong had the hot hand at the plate as he capped off his career-best six-RBI day with another hit, using a two-run single to open up a 10-3 Cubs lead. Like PCA, Vargas had the hot hand for the White Sox at the plate, driving in all three of their runs and picking up four hits, with his final hit coming off Ryan Pressly in the eighth.

The Cubs capped off their massive victory by adding three runs in the eighth as the Cubs had the bases loaded and no one out to start the inning. Dansby Swanson tacked on the 11th run with a sacrifice fly while a Hoerner RBI forceout led to the game's final run. The big story of that inning was watching Ballesteros come through once more as he picked up his first career hit with an RBI single to cap off an excellent day for the Cubs and their offense.

Chicago has now the first game of every home series this season, as they continue to build on their already best franchise mark. Crow-Armstrong paced the Cubs with four hits and six RBIs as he had by far his best day as a Cub. He was one of five players to record multiple hits as Tucker, Suzuki, Hoerner, and Carson Kelly added multi-hit games.