Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/22/20): White Sox 7, Cubs 4 – Abreu and Co. Again Pound Cubs with Longball

The Chicago White Sox continue to hit home runs at a mind-numbing rate, hitting five more on their way to a 7-4 win at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

Kyle Hendricks was solid on the night, but wasn’t immune to the onslaught of dingers. He gave up two runs in the 2nd on a missile to the left-center stands from Luis Robert to open the scoring, then Cubs answered right back in the bottom of the inning. After Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch and Jason Heyward walked, Victor Caratini doubled both in on a ball off the ivy in left to knot the game.

From that point on, it was basically the José Abreu Show and the Cubs couldn’t find a way to turn it off. Abreu launched three more bombs after two Friday night; one in the 6th, one in the 8th, and one more to top things off in the 9th. Yasmani Grandal also added one in the 9th for the White Sox.

While Abreu was doing most of his damage, the Cubs were continuing their scuffling at the plate against Reynaldo López and Gio González. It wasn’t until the 8th that they attempted to mount a comeback, but it was too little too late against all the home runs.

The good news is there may have been some signs of life from the middle of the order, as Javier Báez, Kyle Schwarber, and Willson Contreras all strung hits together to give the Cubs a run in the 8th. They also got a run back in the 9th as Ian Happ grounded out to score Nico Hoerner, pretty much an afterthought against Sox closer Alex Colomé. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

They’ve allowed the White Sox to hit 11 runs in two games.

Key Moment

Pick one of the Abreu bombs. Between him and Robert, they’re just hitting homers like crazy in this series.

Stats That Matter

• Rowan Wick gave up a home run for the first time ever in a Cubs uniform. It was his first allowed since September 7, 2018 when he was with the Padres.
• Cubs pitchers have given up 11 home runs and 17 total runs in two games against the Sox.
• Ryan Tepera hasn’t given up a run in seven August appearances.
• Before the 8th inning, the Cubs had two hits in seven innings.
• The Cubs currently have six regulars hitting lower than .217 on the season. This needs to change.

Bottom Line

The Cubs have to find a way to salvage the series with a win Sunday. Yu Darvish needs to keep the Sox in the park because the Cubs haven’t seen if the Sox can even score without homering.

On Deck

Darvish takes the ball against former Cubs farmhand Dylan Cease. Gametime is 1:20pm CT and you can watch on either Marquee or NBC Sports Chicago. You can also listen on either 670 The Score or WGN 720.