Let’s just call it a technical knockout: The White Sox have reasserted their dominance over the rival Cubs.
Friday’s win, their third straight this spring over the ivy bumblers and first at Camelback Ranch, was the most pedestrian of the bunch; in other words, the White Sox clobbered only two homers in this one vs. the four homers in a 5-1 win on March 1 and the eight runs scored in the Cactus League opener on February 20.
Good progress, lil’ Cubbies, you’ll get there one day.
Friday’s win was marked by just enough hitting in support of some outstanding pitching. Davis Martin started and bested his surname counterpart in the other dugout with four scoreless innings of one-hit, four-K ball. After an intermission inning from Jordan Hicks (a hit and K in a 10-pitch, scoreless frame), Sean Newcomb came on for three strong innings (two unearned runs, three hits, walk, six Ks). Jordan Leasure wound things up with a scoreless, tw0-K frame to earn the save.
The White Sox offense spread four single runs over the first five innings, including a bomb from the suddenly-essential Korey Lee:
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JUST PLAYING WITH LIKE HIS HAIR
Lee, 2-for-2 on the day, had also tapped home the first White Sox run of the game back in the second inning. He’s 10-for 26 this spring with a .529 on-base percentage.
The White Sox did allow their baby brothers from the north catch up to 3-2 in the sixth, with two gift runs from center fielder Jarred Kelenic:
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Gotta say, for a fierce battle among several fringe roster players, several of whom have no options left and will be waived upon not making the team, Kelenic has been the one to consistently put his lack of want-to on display.
Like a kitten toying with a mouse, the White Sox immediately struck back in the bottom half, courtesy of an Everson Pereira home run:
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The Cubs, having tumbled to 9-11, stand a chance of pulling back past .500 on the spring given that this was their final game against the White Sox. The South Siders, bristling up at 12-9, get right back at it as the home club hosting the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Saturday. Hannah Filippo will make her 2026 recapping debut for this radio-TV broadcast tomorrow afternoon.
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