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Soriano, Marshall help Cubs sweep White Sox

Jun 24, 2007 - 11:37 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs pulled off a first against the Chicago White Sox Sunday afternoon.

Alfonso Soriano hit his third home run in as many games and Sean Marshall pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings as the Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

It was the first time either club has pulled off the feat in 10 years of interleague play. The crosstown rivalry is now tied, with each club winning 30 games apiece since interleague play began. The Cubs finished off the season series at 5-1, also the most wins they've had against the White Sox in a season.

"The story here today is the pitching," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We came in here to the Southside and held this team to two runs in three games. That's pretty darn good pitching. Soriano continued his hot hitting in June, and we won the series."

The 24-year-old Marshall won his fourth game since being called up from Class AAA Iowa on May 22. The lefthander allowed five hits and walked one, striking out three. All four of the Marshall 's victories have come in June.

"I felt good," Marshall said. "I went back on the attack. I went ahead and threw strikes."

Bobby Howry pitched the ninth inning to record his second save. Soriano hit his 15th home run of the season in the seventh inning. He previously led off the last two games against the White Sox with homers. Soriano finished the Cubs' road trip by hitting safely in each of six games.

"I feel more comfortable with the team," Soriano said. "I got my swing back. I love the game, and I try to have fun and play the game."

The contest was scoreless until the sixth inning when Angel Pagan plated Aramis Ramirez with a groundout to shortstop. Ramirez led off the inning with a double to center field and moved to third on a single to left by Cliff Floyd.

The Cubs made it 3-0 in the eighth inning. Koyie Hill hit a sacrifice fly to score Felix Pie. That came after a controversial play in which White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was ejected by crew chief Joe West. Guillen was arguing an interference call against White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe who made contact with Pagan as he ran past second base.

The Cubs defense was solid all afternoon. Soriano threw out Luis Terrero in the fifth as he tried to score from third base and Pagan ended the sixth after making a diving catching of Paul Konerko's seemingly extra-base hit.

"This might be the best defensive game we've had all year," Ramirez said. "It was a good game all around."

"This was a big series," Pagan said. "We're seven games behind Milwaukee, every series is big. Every game counts. We're going to keep playing hard and keep getting victories."

Jose Contreras (5-8) gave up 10 hits over seven innings. The righthander allowed two runs on 10 hits, striking out three without walking a batter.

The White Sox have lost five straight and 22 of 27, as they continue a downward spiral in the American League Central.

"This weekend they played better than we did," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "They made the plays, they pitched right, they had clutch hitting, and we didn't. If those guys keep playing the way they did against us, they have a chance."