White Sox avoid Chapman, down Cubs 3-0 behind Shields
CHICAGO (AP) Out went Chris Sale and the shredded 1976 throwback jerseys. In came 1983 uniforms and a four-game winning streak.
James Shields allowed four singles in 7 2/3 innings, Adam Eaton homered and the White Sox stayed unbeaten since their ace's suspension by beating the Cubs 3-0 on Tuesday night in Chicago's crosstown rivalry.
When Sale tore up the 1976-style jerseys before his scheduled start Saturday, the White Sox had to put on their 1983-era uniforms as Sale was sent home. They've won four straight in those white jerseys as Sale serves a five-day suspension.
''Can't wear them tomorrow,'' manager Robin Ventura said, noting they'll have to wear visiting dark jerseys as the series shifts to Wrigley Field. ''If we could, I think we would.''
The Cubs lost their second straight and never got to use new closer Aroldis Chapman hours after he joined the team and struggled answering questions related to an altercation last year with his girlfriend.
The Cubs had no extra-base hits. Kris Bryant was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and has fanned seven times in 10 at-bats against Shields.
''The starting pitching the last four games has forced us out of our game plan,'' Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
Shields (5-12) struck out five and continued an impressive turnaround from a terrible first three starts after being acquired from San Diego last month.
''This is the guy we were thinking of when we got him,'' Ventura said.
Nate Jones finished the eighth and David Robertson worked a perfect ninth for his 24th save as the White Sox (50-50) returned to .500.
Jose Abreu had two hits, including an RBI single in the first off Kyle Hendricks (9-7) that ended his streak of 22 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run.
Eaton added a solo homer in the fifth on a day where both teams faced off-field issues.
Chapman arrived after being acquired from the New York Yankees and immediately faced scrutiny from reporters over his offseason domestic violence incident and ensuing 29-game suspension. Chapman said he couldn't recall a conversation with Cubs personnel about off-field conduct that Chicago described in a team release when it announced the trade.
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein said the Spanish-speaking Chapman did not understand the reporters' questions, adding that Chapman was ''pretty nervous'' and insisting the closer understands what the Cubs expect.
Minutes later, Ventura asserted he can work with Sale despite the ace's critical comments of the manager for not sticking up for him when he was suspended for the collared jerseys he objected to.
Shields, who allowed 22 runs in his first three starts with the White Sox, walked four. He got Dexter Fowler to pop out with the bases loaded to end the second and worked out of another jam in the sixth.
What's been the difference?
''Maybe luck? I don't know,'' Shields said. ''Honestly there's not much of a difference when I'm pitching now compared to what I was doing before. The only thing I can give is staying ahead of hitters and having better fastball command.''
Hendricks, who struck out seven, exited after Todd Frazier's two-out bloop single in the sixth. Travis Wood entered and walked three straight batters to force in a run.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Maddon said OF Jorge Soler (left hamstring) needs nine or 10 more at-bats at Triple-A Iowa before he'll return. ... Bryant was the DH, but not because of any injuries during a head-first slide into second base a night earlier. ''It'll be nice to get off my feet a little bit,'' he said. ''After (the slide), I felt fine.''
White Sox: Ventura said 2B Brett Lawrie (left hamstring) was headed to the disabled list after missing his fifth straight game. ... LHP Carlos Rodon (left wrist) expects to start Aug. 3 at Detroit after throwing 58 pitches in a rehab start Monday for Triple-A Charlotte. ''Everything felt good,'' he said.
UP NEXT
The Cubs host the final two games of the series, with RHP Jason Hammel (9-5, 3.35 ERA) to start Wednesday night. RHP Anthony Ranaudo (1-0, 17.18), acquired from Texas in a May trade, will make his White Sox debut.