Urquidy Shines in Relief, White Sox Edge Cubs 3-0 to End Losing Streak
Source: ABC 7 Chicago Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
CHICAGO -- The White Sox finally found a way to beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and they did it with a bullpen performance that left little room for doubt. José Urquidy, working in long relief, turned in six masterful innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight without a walk. His effort, combined with a timely hit from rookie Braden Montgomery, lifted Chicago to a 3-0 victory on Wednesday, salvaging the finale of a three-game series.
For the White Sox, the win was more than just a series split. It ended an eight-game losing streak at the iconic North Side venue, a stretch that had stretched back to August 2023. The frustration of two consecutive walk-off losses earlier in the series made this victory particularly sweet. Manager Pedro Grifol's club rebounded with a disciplined approach at the plate and a stingy pitching plan that kept the Cubs' bats quiet.
The game began with Sean Newcomb as an opener. The left-hander tossed two hitless innings, setting the stage for Urquidy to take over in the third. Urquidy (2-1) was in control from the start, mixing his fastball with a sharp breaking ball that kept Cubs hitters off balance. He retired the first seven batters he faced, and the only two hits he allowed came from Tyrone Taylor, who led off the sixth with a double. But Taylor's aggressiveness cost him: he was thrown out at third base trying to advance on a fly ball to right by Pete Crow-Armstrong, a critical play that preserved a scoreless tie.
The White Sox finally broke through in the sixth. Andrew Benintendi delivered a two-out RBI single off Cubs starter Clay Holmes, scoring Miguel Vargas from second base. Holmes (5-6), who had been acquired from the Mets at the trade deadline, had been sharp in his second start with the Cubs, allowing just one run on six hits over 5 1/3 innings while walking two. But the White Sox managed to manufacture the run they needed.
Defense also played a role. In the seventh, White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci made a leaping catch of Alex Bregman's drive against the ivy, robbing the Cubs of extra bases and preserving the 1-0 lead. The play drew cheers from the White Sox dugout and kept the momentum on their side.
The White Sox added insurance in the eighth. Miguel Vargas walked to lead off the inning against Cubs reliever Ryan Rolison. Pinch-hitter Randal Grichuk followed with a double, sending Vargas to third. Then Montgomery stepped up and roped a double that deflected off the glove of Cubs first baseman Michael Busch, scoring both runners. Montgomery finished with two hits on the day, including that clutch two-run double.
Grant Taylor worked the ninth for his seventh save, completing a two-hitter for the White Sox. The Cubs' only hits came from Tyrone Taylor, who was acquired from the Mets along with Holmes. The Cubs managed just two baserunners all afternoon, a testament to the White Sox pitching staff's command.
With the win, the White Sox and Cubs split the 2026 season series 3-3. The Cubs still hold the all-time lead in interleague play, 80-78. Both teams now turn their attention to the next series. The White Sox return to Rate Field on Thursday to face the Atlanta Braves, with left-hander Anthony Kay (9-5, 4.01 ERA) taking the mound. The Cubs head to Seattle for a weekend series against the Mariners, though their starter for Friday has not yet been announced.
Article commentary
The White Sox's 3-0 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field was a textbook example of how a bullpen-oriented strategy can succeed when executed with precision. José Urquidy's six innings of long relief were not just efficient; they were dominant. The right-hander struck out eight without a walk, a performance that underscores his value as a versatile arm capable of covering multiple innings. For a team that has struggled to find consistency in its rotation, the ability to deploy an opener and then rely on a pitcher like Urquidy gives the White Sox a tactical advantage in close games. What makes this win particularly noteworthy is the context. The White Sox had lost eight consecutive games at Wrigley Field, a streak that dated back to 2023. That psychological hurdle, combined with the sting of back-to-back walk-off losses earlier in the series, made the victory feel like a turning point. The team's resilience was evident in the way they manufactured the first run — a single by Andrew Benintendi in the sixth — and then added cushion in the eighth with a two-run double from rookie Braden Montgomery. Montgomery's emergence as a run producer is a positive sign for a franchise that has been rebuilding its offensive core. The Cubs, meanwhile, will look back at missed opportunities. Starter Clay Holmes pitched well, allowing just one run over 5 1/3 innings, but the offense never got going. The lone highlight was a double from Tyrone Taylor, but his aggressive baserunning cost them a potential scoring chance when he was thrown out at third. Alex Bregman's deep fly ball that was caught by Sam Antonacci in the seventh was another what-if moment. The Cubs managed only two hits all game, a rarity for a lineup that has been productive for much of the season. From a strategic standpoint, the White Sox's use of an opener followed by a long reliever is becoming more common across baseball. It allows teams to leverage their bullpen strengths while avoiding the risk of a starter struggling early. Sean Newcomb's two hitless innings set the tone, and Urquidy capitalized. This approach could be a blueprint for the White Sox as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. The series split at 3-3 is a fair outcome for the crosstown rivals. The Cubs still hold the all-time edge, but the White Sox will take the confidence from this win. Both teams now face different challenges: the White Sox host the Braves, a playoff contender, while the Cubs travel to Seattle. The key for Chicago's South Side team will be to replicate this kind of pitching performance consistently. If Urquidy can continue to provide length out of the bullpen, the White Sox may have found a formula for success in tight games.