Well, the 2010 Crosstown Series between the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs is now history as the White Sox came out on top, winning the inaugural Crosstown Cup.
As always, the series featured great action and fun times (especially for White Sox fans), so I thought it would be fun to put together a little series recap highlighting the games I covered at U.S. Cellular Field. These games never disappoint photo wise, and this year was no exception.
The June 25th game featured clutch hitting by Carlos Quentin and nice pitching by Jake Peavy as the White Sox prevailed 6-0.
The White Sox 10th consecutive win was overshadowed by a dugout blowup by Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who was yanked from the game by manager Lou Piniella after the first inning. I was on my way upstairs to shoot stadium images after the White Sox scored 4 runs in the first inning, and was surprised to see Zambrano out of the game once I arrived in the upper deck.
I didn’t know at the time the details of what transpired and missed the show in the dugout. As I alluded to earlier, there is never a lack of excitement when the White Sox and Cubs tangle, and with the White Sox scoring 4 runs in the first, followed by the Zambrano incident, the scene was set early during Friday’s game for another memorable series!
Saturday night’s game got underway with a pregame appearance by Hollywood director/producer Ron Howard and NBA star Steve Nash.
Howard tossed the ceremonial first pitch, and after that the game had its usual share of twists and turns until White Sox captain Paul Konerko connected on a 8th inning 1-2 pitch by Andrew Cashner and sent it into the seats for a home run to break a tie and power the White Sox to their 11th victory in a row.
The game ended with a great double play turned by Gordon Beckham at second base, who got off a perfect relay throw to first base after taking a hard slide by Tyler Colvin to finish off the game in fine fashion.
With the win, the White Sox clinched the Crosstown Cup, which was awarded at home plate immediately following the game. Let the good times roll!
The June 27th finale had its share of drama too, but unfortunately for White Sox fans the Southsider’s came up a little short when Alex Rios left the tying and potential winning runs on base as Carlos Marmol overcame a wild ninth inning to hang on and break the White Sox 11 game winning streak by recording an 8-6 victory.
Cubs rookie Tyler Colvin got the Cubs offense going on Sunday by connecting for a 3-run home run in the third inning. That kid seems like the real deal. He’s got a really sweet swing.
For Sox fans, it would have been too good to be true had they been able to come back and win in the bottom of the ninth, but when the dust settled and all was said and done, the White Sox had a successful homestand and moved closer to first place, which is what really counts. The Sox gave it a finish, that’s for sure. I’ll bet my Cub fan friends (hello, Stephen Green?) weren’t breathing well until after the final pitch. But isn’t that what you want out of a ballgame?
Another year, another Sox/Cubs Crosstown Series in the books. What will next year’s match-up bring? Stay tuned!
