Morning Box Score: White Sox Blank Twins, Cubs Beat Pirates
By Tim Bearden in News on Sep 15, 2012 2:30PM
The White Sox maintained a one game lead in the AL Central by beating the Twins Friday night. Chris Sale, who was slated for a pitchers' duel against Justin Verlander in Thursday's rainout against the Tigers, pitched six scoreless innings, gave up only three hits and delivered five strikeouts. Sale's successful transition from reliever to starter has made waves in Cy Young talks this season; he tallied his 17th victory last night. The success on the mound translated over to the plate with six RBIs for the White Sox. Kevin Youkilis hit the only long ball of the evening in the seventh and Dayan Viciedo had two RBIs on a sacrifice grounder and a walk.
The Cubs may not have much to talk about outside setting next year's home schedule, but they can at least say they're keeping the Pirates out of the playoffs. They have now won four straight against the swashbucklers, and Pittsburgh's seventh straight loss has made them fall even further behind St. Louis in the playoff race. Chris Rusin notched his first major league victory despite giving up two runs, two errors and four hits in five innings pitched. Starlin Castro continues to show why the Cubs keep him around—despite his questionable fielding abilities—and tallied four RBIs to help the Cubs to victory.