CHICAGO (AP) -- Bryan LaHair and Alfonso Soriano homered to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 12-3 victory over the White Sox on Monday night in the opener of the crosstown, interleague series.
With winds gusting to 41 mph the Cubs had season highs of five home runs, 15 hits and 12 runs.
Starlin Castro and Luis Valbuena homered and had three hits apiece for the Cubs and Geovany Soto added a solo shot in his first game back from the 15-day disabled list.
Matt Garza (3-5) allowed home runs to Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski, but limited the damage to three runs over six innings to earn the win.
Zack Stewart (1-2) was tagged for six runs and nine hits, including four homers, over 5 2-3 innings.
The Cubs exacted some revenge on the White Sox, who earned the sweep when the teams met at Wrigley Field May 18-20. The White Sox had won seven of the last eight matchups against the Cubs.
The Cubs scored 11 runs with four homers on Memorial Day against the San Diego Padres, and had 14 hits four times.
The White Sox have lost five of their last six and nine of 13 overall.
Making his first appearance of the season in right field, LaHair passed an early test with a retreating catch to rob Gordon Beckham of extra bases in the first inning.
The big lefty hit his 13th homer of the season with one on and two outs in the third.
Castro added a two-run shot in the fifth, and Soriano hit a solo homer two batters later.
Soriano's 440-foot blast to straightaway center was his 13th of the year -- all have come since May 15. He added an RBI single in the Cubs' six-run seventh.
His four homers and 10 RBIs are franchise records for a designated hitter.
Stewart was roughed up in his first start of the season. Pitching in a long-relief role this season, he was called upon to give aces Chris Sale and Jake Peavy extra rest.
Stewart allowed nine hits and six runs over 5 2-3 innings. He was pulled in the sixth after allowing his fourth homer of the game to Soto, who had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He had been out since May 16.
Will Ohman gave up two runs in 2-3 of an inning of relief, and Nate Jones gave up four runs without retiring a batter in the seventh.
Valbuena's three-run shot capped the Cubs' big inning.
Pierzynski hit a solo homer in the fifth, his 12th of the season and Konerko hit his 13th, a two-run shot, in the sixth.
Garza gave up three runs and five hits over six innings. He struck out six and issued one walk.
Notes: The announced paid attendance was 33,215. . The Cubs placed RHP Ryan Dempster (right lat tightness) on the 15-day DL and recalled RHP Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa. . C Welington Castillo was optioned to Iowa to accommodate Soto's roster spot. . White Sox OF Kosuke Fukudome (strained right oblique) The White Sox agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with first-round draft pick Courtney Hawkins. Hawkins, the 13th overall pick, will report to Advanced Rookie League Bristol. . Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen threw out the first pitch. . The Cubs will send Travis Wood (0-3, 4.58 ERA) to the hill on Tuesday against Peavy (6-2, 2.91).
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Friday, May 17 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:56:16 GMT
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 2:51 PM EDT2013-05-15 18:51:57 GMT
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:09 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:09:36 GMT
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:32:18 GMT
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Sunday, May 12 2013 11:23 PM EDT2013-05-13 03:23:10 GMT
Chris Sale pitched a one-hitter after being perfect into the seventh inning, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Sunday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Chris Sale pitched a one-hitter after being perfect into the seventh inning, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Sunday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Saturday, May 11 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-05-12 03:36:23 GMT
Mike Trout hit a two-run homer and Jerome Williams pitched into the seventh inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Saturday night.
Mike Trout hit a two-run homer and Jerome Williams pitched into the seventh inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Saturday night.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-09 02:32:38 GMT
Jake Peavy pitched three-hit ball in his return from a balky back, Alejandro De Aza had a leadoff homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Mets 6-3
Jake Peavy pitched three-hit ball in his return from a balky back, Alejandro De Aza had a leadoff homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Mets 6-3
Tuesday, May 7 2013 10:51 PM EDT2013-05-08 02:51:13 GMT
Matt Harvey pitched one-hit ball for nine innings in a nearly perfect performance and the New York Mets permitted just one baserunner all game in beating the Chicago White Sox 1-0 in the 10th Tuesday
Matt Harvey pitched one-hit ball for nine innings in a nearly perfect performance and the New York Mets permitted just one baserunner all game in beating the Chicago White Sox 1-0 in the 10th Tuesday
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:19:36 GMT
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 8:42 AM EDT2013-05-15 12:42:09 GMT
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:24 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:24:50 GMT
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:06:49 GMT
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
Saturday, May 11 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-05-12 03:33:42 GMT
Dominant early, Stephen Strasburg fell apart after one of Ryan Zimmerman's two errors and wound up dropping his fifth consecutive decision, an 8-2 loss Saturday to the Chicago Cubs
Dominant early, Stephen Strasburg fell apart after one of Ryan Zimmerman's two errors and wound up dropping his fifth consecutive decision, an 8-2 loss Saturday to the Chicago Cubs
Saturday, May 11 2013 12:12 PM EDT2013-05-11 16:12:33 GMT
Ian Desmond's three hits and Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki also driving in runs with doubles, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 for their season-high fifth consecutive victory.
Ian Desmond's three hits and Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki also driving in runs with doubles, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 for their season-high fifth consecutive victory.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 9:05 PM EDT2013-05-09 01:05:11 GMT
There were the four double plays, one in every inning from the fifth to the eighth. Mix in a wild pitch, an error and a shaky outing from a usually reliable reliever, and that was enough.
There were the four double plays, one in every inning from the fifth to the eighth. Mix in a wild pitch, an error and a shaky outing from a usually reliable reliever, and that was enough.
