WRIGLEY FIELD -- Cubs fans have been paying a lot of attention to Eloy's recent hot streak (.375 6 HR 13 RBI over the last nine games) and have started to wonder just what Theo Epstein and company were thinking when they shipped him to the South Side for Jose Quintana in July of 2017.
And thanks to last night that trade might haunt their dreams after getting their first official glimpse of what could have been when Jimenez took a Pedro Strop pitch deep to left center for 2-run shot in the 9th inning to give the White Sox a 3-1 win over the north siders in game 1 of the Crosstown Classic. For White Sox fans it was a moment to remember as this young team continues to show why it's time to stop sleeping on them.
The win halted a 2-game skid and improved their record to 35-36. With a chance to get back to .500 the South Siders will send their ace Lucas Giolito to the mound in the finale of Part 1 of the Crosstown Classic.
SUMMARY: After giving up a leadoff long ball to Kyle Schwarber, White Sox pitcher Ivan Nova settled in as the unsung hero givin up just 3 more hits and no runs in 5 innings pitched. With the score knotted at 1 headed tot he 9th, Eloy Jimenez made his official introduction to the north side crowd by parking a Pedro Strop pitch in the stands in left center. Colome came in to grab his 15th save of the year to help his squad pull back within 1 game of .500.
Player of the game: Eloy Jimenez aka #YoungandReckless went 2-3 with the game-winning HR and 2 RBI
Next game - 6/19 v CWS
Lucas Giolito (10-1 2.20 ERA) vs Jon Lester(5-5 4.08 ERA)